One Educator's Response to a Gap in Policy Education by Offering a Social Work Course on Disabilities

This article reviews Canadian human rights policy approaches aimed at improving opportunities for participation in Canadian society for persons with disabilities. The response of the social work profession to societal changes and the reconceptualization of disabilities is explored relative to the impact of the disability movement. The shift from a medical rehabilitation model to a more relevant social model provides a backdrop to examine changes required in social work practice and education. A range of leadership roles for social work educators and schools of social work is presented. One educator's attempt to address these issues is discussed in relation to the development of a social work and disabilities course in a generalist B.S.W. program in Canada. The course's focus on issues of accessibility and participation appear to lead to both predictable attitudinal changes in students and unanticipated yet positive influences for members of the school of social work and university.