Bob Sapey

Bio: Bob Sapey is an academic researcher from Lancaster University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Social work & Social model of disability. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 44 publications receiving 1219 citations. Previous affiliations of Bob Sapey include University of Central Lancashire.

Social Work with Disabled People

Abstract: Preface.- Introduction: Setting the Scene.- Social Work and Disability: Old and New Directions.- Impairment, Disability and Research.- Relationships and Families.- Independent Living and Personal Assistance.- Independent Living: The Wider Social Policy and Legal Context.- Independent Living: Vulnerability and Safeguarding.- Conclusion - Future Directions.

Increases in wheelchair use and perceptions of disablement

Abstract: Between 1986 and 1995, there appeared to be a 100% increase in the number of wheelchair users in England and Wales. This article reports some of the findings of a study designed to explore the social implications of this increase. Specifically, it examines the various explanations for the increases and concludes that whilst demographic changes or research methodologies are not responsible, the more likely causes are changing prescription practice, medical advances and changing attitudes to disablement. The article then explores the latter explanation by examining perceptions of wheelchair use, contrasting clinical and user views gained from in‐depth interviews. It also reports findings from part of a large‐scale postal survey of wheelchair users, which examined their attitudes toward different models of disability. It concludes that the responses of a large majority of wheelchair users of all ages are better explained by the social model of disability than any other.

Social Work Tomorrow: Towards a Critical Understanding of Technology in Social Work

Abstract: SUMMARY This paper makes use of theoretical ideas that have been developed to understand the impact of new technology on organizations and applies them to its use within social work agencies. These developing theories employ ideas that are familiar to social workers—organization theory, decision making theory, and communication theory. The paper therefore argues that social workers are in a good position to understand and influence the use of computers within welfare agencies and do not need to be inhibited by a lack of technological knowledge. It is further argued that, unless social workers do become involved in the ways in which new technologies are used within organiza tions, they will fail to influence its impact upon their clients and may further fail to control the way in which computers affect the nature of social work itself in the future. In the 'information age' it has become incumbent on organizations to take advantage of the speed and processing power of new technologies. Social welfare agencies are no exception to this and, in recent years, there has been a major expansion of the use of computers for the hand

Changing the Social Relations of Research Production

Abstract: This paper will argue that research on disability has had little influence on policy and made no contribution to improving the lives of disabled people. In fact, up to now the process of research production has been alienating both for disabled people and for researchers themselves. Neither positivist nor interpretive paradigms are immune from the characterisation of research as alienation, and hence it is suggested that the only way to produce unalienated research is to change the social relations of research production. This change will require the development of an emancipatory research paradigm and both the development of and agenda for such a paradigm are briefly considered.

The social model of disability: thirty years on

Abstract: This year marks exactly 30 years since I published a book introducing the social model of disability onto an unsuspecting world and yet, despite the impact this model has had, all we now seem to do is talk about it. While all this chatter did not matter too much when the economy was booming, now it no longer booms it is proving disastrous for many disabled people whose benefits and services are being severely cut back or removed altogether. In the article I restate my view of what the social model was and what I see as its potential for improving the lives of disabled people. Finally I focus on the unfortunate criticisms of it and the disastrous implications these have had for disabled people.

The Social Model of Disability and the Disappearing Body: Towards a sociology of impairment

Abstract: What is the case for and how would one begin to construct a sociology of impairment? This paper argues that the realignment of the disability/impairment distinction is vital for the identity politics of the disability movement. The body is at the heart of contemporary political and theoretical debate, yet the social model of disability makes it an exile. The transformation of the body from a reactionary to an emancipatory concept implies a sociology of impairment. This paper explores the contribution that post-structuralism and phenomenology might make to this end.