Disability Competence: An Often-Overlooked Aspect of Cultural Competence in Social Work

Abstract

In this talk on cultural competence, we will examine the social construction of disability as distinct from impairment. We will learn about the basics of disability oppression and the response of disability communities in the form of various resistance movements. A review of various hot topics in current U.S. disability culture will be presented. An overview of the guiding principles of empowerment-oriented disability social work practice will be offered before workshop participants will have a chance to explore their own able-bodied privilege. Learning objectives: To discuss social construction of disability; To introduce basics of disability oppression; To review disability resistance movements; To describe hot topics in disability culture; To identify guiding principles for empowerment-oriented disability social work practice; To explore able-bodied privilege.