The personal is political! Considering and exploring the attitudes and intentions that form and frame our ‘partnering up’ with and for disability rights in higher education

Abstract

This poetic conversation presents a series of individual and linked reflections on our ‘attitudes and intentions’ as students and tutors in higher education ‘partnering up’ for social justice and disability rights. We are a collaboration of academics (Yota and Suanne) with students of Education (Laura, Mette, Emma, Damaris, Toby, Katherine, Amandine, Jack and Manoor) from three HEIs in England, United Kingdom (UK) (University of Plymouth, University of Reading and University of Nottingham) who each live with disability. We have chosen not to define any individual position. We collectively hold a shared perspective and belief in the social model of disability, where inequality is created by and exists due to a dominant hegemonic, systemic, and cultural position on what is normal and thus valued and what is not and thus oppressed, excluded, overlooked. Our world can and must do better.