Explore disability inequality through an intersectional lens

Disability inequality does not occur in isolation. People’s experiences of disability can be shaped by other identities and characteristics, including gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age and social class.

You’ll explore how disability intersects with other forms of inequality and oppression, examining concepts such as disability identity, double oppression, multiple oppression and intersectionality.

Understand the causes of disability inequality

Using ideas from sociology and Disability Studies, you’ll investigate how social processes, policies and practices contribute to disability inequality.

You’ll explore the sociological imagination, structural inequality, invisible inequality and slow violence, and consider how these approaches help explain inequality in different contexts.

You’ll explore approaches used to challenge disability inequality, including legal responses, disability equality strategies and alliance building across communities and social movements.

You’ll reflect on how collaboration and collective action can help create more inclusive futures.

Learn through Disability Studies

Developed by the University of Leeds, this course introduces key concepts from Disability Studies and their application to real-world issues.

Whether you’re interested in disability equality, intersectionality, social justice, inclusion, policy, education or advocacy, you’ll develop a critical understanding of disability inequality and its wider social implications.

Syllabus

Week 1
Intersectional inequality
- Welcome
  Before you get started, take some time to meet your Lead Educator, Dr Claudia Coveney, who will provide an overview of the learning journey for this course. You will also have the opportunity to meet fellow learners.  
- Disability identity and forms of oppression
  In this activity, you will consider the role of a collective or shared disability identity and explore the ways in which disabled people experience forms of oppression.
- Intersectionality
  This activity outlines the concept of intersectionality and considers its relevance and application in relation to disability. You will also explore the relationship between law and intersectionality.
- Alliance building and collaborations
  In this activity, you will consider how alliances and other groups can be built and affect change.
- Summary
  This Activity summarises the key concepts from Week 1.
Week 2
Causes of inequality
- Welcome
  This week, you will begin thinking about the processes, policies, and practices that cause and maintain disability inequality.
- The Sociological Imagination
  In this activity, you will be introduced to the concept and impact of C.Wright Mill’s ‘sociological imagination’ which recognises the social, historical and cultural factors shaping individual and collective experiences.
- Approaches to understanding the causes of inequality
  This activity looks at approaches to understanding inequalities from a high-level perspective.
- Speculative frameworks
  In this activity, you will be introduced to ‘speculative frameworks’ to analyse the specific causes of disability inequality.
- Summary
  This final section gives you the opportunity to review what you have learned over the last two weeks and to consider how you will apply this learning now the course is drawing to a close.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explore how and why disability intersects with a range of other identities and characteristics
Identify the ways in which disability oppression interacts with other characteristics and experiences
Investigate and analyse the impact and implications of intersectional inequalities
Evaluate the potential for and implications of building alliances with other groups.
Explain what disability equality is and its significance
Explore the relational and relative nature of disability inequality
Identify disability inequality in different contexts.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in disability inequality, equality, inclusion and social justice. It may be particularly relevant to:

People interested in disability and social inequality.
Professionals and practitioners working with issues relating to disability, inclusion or social justice.
Equality, diversity and inclusion practitioners.
Disability advocates and activists.
Learners interested in sociology, inequality and social change.
Current or prospective students considering postgraduate study in disability-related fields.

You may be considering a career working with disabled communities in professional, policy or advocacy contexts, or exploring postgraduate study. Whatever your background, this course will introduce key concepts and debates in Disability Studies and provide insight into the approach taken within the University of Leeds’ MSc Disability Studies, Rights and Inclusion programme.

Completing this course can help you build your understanding of disability inequality and make informed decisions about further study or professional development.

Who will you learn with?

Claudia Coveney

I'm a lecturer at the University of Leeds interested in the voice, power and participation of disabled people and their political organisations in governance and policy.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

What's included?

University of Leeds are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

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Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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