scholarly journals Problems Facing Disabled People in Malawi

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-108
Author(s):  
Memory J. Tembo

This critical reflection is based on my encounter with a disabled woman in a district in Malawi, and how I have reflected and analyzed the encounter using social work theories. The essay reflects on the story of the disabled woman and my own perception at that time, in addition to my analysis of these perceptions using different perspectives in social work based on my current understanding of these perspectives. In line with Fook’s (2002; 68) critical reflection techniques, social work theories will be applied to deconstruct and reconstruct the critical incident. The essay highlights the challenges and dilemmas I encountered in attempting to make meaning out of this encounter, which left me helpless and powerless, as I could not offer her any sustainable help at the time.

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Canice Curtis ◽  
Christine Morley

INTRODUCTION: Western conceptualisations of social work are increasingly interestedin practices considered to be alternative or non-traditional to respond to oppression. While incorporating alternative methods into social work is frequently viewed as unproblematic, we suggest critical reflection is necessary to safeguard against inadvertent, culturally unsafe practice and the uncritical re-inscription of individualised solutions.APPROACH: In this article, we explore the application of group drumming practices within social work through examination of a critical incident. While the benefits of group drumming are well documented, we use critical reflection to explore ethical challenges of incorporating group drumming practices into social work.CONCLUSIONS: We highlight strategies for social workers using alternative or non- traditional practices that support cultural humility and critical practice goals. This research holds implications for social workers interested in the potential of alternative practices while remaining committed to critical practice and cultural safety.


Pedagogika ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 92-104
Author(s):  
Violeta Vaicekauskienė

The article reveals the theoretical conception of the construct of socialisation as well as the process and nature of the process of its practical implementation that is directed to meet globalisation challenges, i.e. sustainable and accordant development ensuring the well-being of communities and individuals, as well as life quality. Hence, the priorities of the socialization of disabled people is changing focusing on the development of inclusion and participation in social life as well as striving for more rapid development and socialisation of the disabled. Social sciences, including educational science, social pedagogy and social work that is relatively new as it has lasted for a decade in Lithuania, search for solutions enabling to efficiently employ connections between them in solving problems of socialisation implementation. The article presents empirical research that involved 10 participants and included a semi-structured group interview. The participants have a qualification of a social pedagogue acquired in BA studies and have accomplished MA studies in the field of social work at Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences; they implement practical social work with different groups of the disabled. The research results were generalised and interpreted using content analysis method that is based on “the measurement of the frequencies of quality categories” (Bitinas, 2006, 275). The group discussion method was employed to discuss socialisation problems of the disabled and it embraced three groups of questions: the first group covered the selection and definition of the conceptions and approaches of socialisation, as well as the prevailing paradigms of science and socialisation,; the second group incorporated achievements in socialisation implementation and identification of its prevailing strategies and methods; whereas the third group dealt with the anticipation of socialisation factors and distracters, as well as the possibilities and prospects of their elimination. The following conclusions are drawn: 1) under the conditions of modern socialization implementation, the diversity of the paradigms of socialisation process and their conceptions become of topical importance as they reveal the connections between experts of education and social work. They are manifested through: a) holistic approach towards socialisation by both sciences, which is especially relevant for the socialisation of the disabled that is determined by the developmental disorders of individual persons; b) the specifics of the implementation of functional goals of the systems of every science correlate with the spectrum of the employed paradigms; c) the paradigms of social work are directed towards and reflect globalisation challenges to a greater extent; 2) when identifying the factors of socialisation implementation, the experts give an identical evaluation of the aspects of educational and social work socialisation distinguishing the creation of an integrative environment and cooperation in it, application of the diversity of specialists’ professionalism and work methods, ensuring of activity and rehabilitation possibilities and measures in regard to the functional requirements of science systems; 3) it is important and essential to develop interdisciplinary tendencies of cooperating social work and educational science and search for effective means of its expression in the socialisation of disabled people.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Christine Morley ◽  
Charlie O’Bree

Social work practice and education have been significantly impacted by neoliberal governmentality, which can greatly undermine the espoused social justice mission of social work. This study explores the research questions: How might critical reflection support social work practice in neoliberal organisations? And how might critical analysis using insights from critical theorists fortify the findings of critically reflective research? This study uses critical reflection on a critical incident (from Author 2’s practice) as a methodology to respond to the first research question. It further analyses the findings of the critically reflective inquiry by drawing on relevant concepts from critical theorists to respond to the second question and expand the possibilities for practitioners to develop emancipatory practices in neoliberal organisations. The findings suggest critical reflection on the critical incident examined was effective in improving social work practice, and that additional critical analysis of the wider issues raised by the research findings may enhance social work as a value-driven, client-centred and social change-oriented profession. The article highlights the benefits and outcomes of working in a critically reflective way, and makes an original contribution to the growing literature that suggests critical reflection is a vital skill for social work practice in neoliberal organisations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Zimina ◽  
Darya Lykosova

The present article considers innovative technologies, used in social work with disa-bled people. Special attention is paid to hospital-replacing technologies, such as supported living scheme, driven by development of inclusive society model. Imple-mentation phases of supported living scheme are thoroughly studied. The study proves that direct implementation of supported living technology should be based on considering individual characteristics and ththe needs of the disabled person, as well as the degree of his/her disability. The text provides analysis of domestic and foreign experience on supported living projects and their implementation. Monitoring and analysis of supported living projects, implemented within the territory of the Irkutsk region, were carried out within the study. The article presents findings of the socio-logical survey that was based on expert poll method. The main purpose of the survey was to define prospects and challenges for development of supported living services in the Irkutsk region. The paper concludes, that supported living is an effective al-ternative option to traditional residential care services, it also emphasizes the special importance of attracting non-profit organizations of the Irkutsk region to putting this advanced technology of social work into practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Nessica Nässén

In this technology-driven era, the digitalization of social work practice is becoming almost mandatory in many countries, especially in Europe. Within this context, it is important to look at the possibilities and challenges for the digitalization of critical reflection, which is a fundamental part of social work practice. Using a conceptual and theoretical framework based on reflective practice, critical reflection, and experiential learning, this article aims to outline and discuss the use of ATLAS.ti software as a supporting tool in digitalizing critical reflection in social work supervision (SWS). For illustrative purposes, a case example of child welfare from Sweden is used. This article considers both the benefits and challenges of using ATLAS.ti as a technological tool for the digitalization of critical reflection in SWS. It concludes that social workers’ autonomy and wellbeing need to be at the center in deciding about the use of digital tools such as ATLAS.ti in SWS.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
Su Jeong Yi ◽  
Yoo Mi Jeong ◽  
Jae-Hyun Kim

Physically disabled persons can have sleep problems, which affects their mental health more than those in non-disabled people. However, there are few studies on the relationship between sleep duration and mental health targeting physically disabled people in South Korea, and existing studies on the disabled have mostly used data collected from convenience rather than nationally representative samples, limiting the generalization of the results. This study used data from the second wave of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled (PSED, 2016–2018, 1st–3rd year). Participants included 1851 physically disabled individuals. The Chi-square test and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) value and the AIC log Bayes factor approximation were used to select sleep trajectories. This is the first study to elucidate multiple sleep trajectories in physically disabled people in Korea, and the relationship between sleep duration trajectories and self-rated depressive symptoms. People with physical disabilities who sleep more than 9 h have the highest risk of depression and need more intensive management as a priority intervention.


Organization ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Dale ◽  
Yvonne Latham

In this article, we are concerned with the ethical implications of the entanglement of embodiment and non-human materialities. We argue for an approach to embodiment which recognises its inextricable relationship with multiple materialities. From this, three ethical points are made: first, we argue for an ethical relation to ‘things’ not simply as inanimate objects but as the neglected Others of humanity’s (social and material) world. Second, there is a need to recognise different particularities within these entanglements. We draw on the work of Merleau-Ponty and Levinas to think through how the radical alterity of these Others can be acknowledged, whilst also recognising our intercorporeal intertwining with them. Third, we argue that recognition of this interconnectedness and entanglement is a necessary ethical and political position from which the drawing of boundaries and creation of separations that are inherent in social organising can be understood and which contribute to the denigration, discrimination and dismissal of particular forms of embodiment, including those of non-human Others. In order to explore the ethical implications of these entanglements, we draw upon fieldwork in a large UK-based not-for-profit organisation which seeks to provide support for disabled people through a diverse range of services. Examining entanglements in relation to the disabled body makes visible and problematises the multiple differences of embodiments and their various interrelationships with materiality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 337-350
Author(s):  
Alison McInnes ◽  
Joan M Goss ◽  
Hannah Fisher ◽  
Robyn Brockman

This article offers a critical reflection on an international social work study programme at a Northern European university in 2015. This study develops a shared sense of the expectations and experiences of two academic staff and two students who took part in this social work programme. Interesting findings from this life-changing opportunity were ascertained and included awareness of own motivational learning as well as developing cultural competencies (including language and communication skills), intellectual competencies (including working with others to solve problems), social competencies (including increases in self-confidence and self-awareness) and professional competencies (via increases in professional networks). This supports national data regarding the importance of student mobility including study visits abroad.


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