THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

EXAMINATIONS OF APRIL/MAY 2008

Code and Name of Course: SOWK 2007 – Social Disability Studies Paper: B.Sc.

Date and Time: Duration: 2 hrs.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES: This paper has two (2) pages and seven (7) questions

© The University of the West Indies Course code SOWK 2007 April/May 2008

DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY

INSTRUCTIONS: Each paper must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner and/or the
External Examiner. Where the examination does not require a University Examiner, the form must be signed by the First and
Second Examiners. Complete forms should be handed to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Examinations). The EXTERNAL
EXAMINER is requested to sign the question paper and return it with comments, if any, (on a separate sheet), to the Senior
Assistant Registrar (Examinations).

………………………………………….. …………………………………………………….
First Examiner University Examiner

…………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………….
Second Examiner External Examiner (where applicable)

Date: 2008…/…./…. Date: 2008…/…../…..

 Page 2 – SOWK 2007

All students are asked to answer any two (2) questions of the following (7) questions.

(1) What is ‘disability studies’? Give your definition in a few sentences. In what ways might a
disability studies course, as described in your definition, further disabled people’s struggles for
change. In what ways might the course inhibit or ‘colonize’ the field of disability through the
domination of non-disabled people?

(2) Cite at least three examples of how disability may be conceptualized by members of the society.
What impact do you think the medical model has on the way that:
(a) non-disabled people regard disabled people?
(b) disabled people regard themselves?
Why do you think disabled people have rejected the medical model?

(3) The statistics consistently suggest that disabled people are more likely to experience sexual
abuse than non-disabled people. What explanations would you offer for the sexual abuse of
disabled people? How can you in your professional role help to prevent or reduce the incidence of
sexual abuse in an institution over which you have managerial responsibility?

(4) Examine the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. Identify the three most critical areas
(Housing, Education, Rehabilitation, Transport, Sport and Recreation, Employment) in your
opinion, affecting persons with disabilities in your community. Select one (1) of those areas and
develop short term/medium term plans that would lead to enactment of a law in the policy area
you identified.

(5) Persons with disabilities often are excluded from the mainstream of society and denied their
human rights. What are the human and civil rights for persons with disabilities? Identify some
appropriate measures required to address existing discrimination in order to promote equal
opportunities for persons with disability to enjoy’ decent work for decent pay.’

(6) What is assistive technology? Identify types of assistive technology that are appropriate for use
by persons with disabilities at tertiary level. Discuss ways in which assistive technology can
enhance learning: What are some of the barriers that would limit the use of assistive device? Give
solutions as to how these barriers can be overcome.

(7) A major role of self-advocacy is to empower clients to speak for themselves and to participate in
decisions affecting their lives. How would you as a coordinator of a group of persons with
disabilities assist the group in lobbying the government to guarantee the participation of persons
with disabilities in community activities? Describe and discuss the technique that you would
employ to assist them in achieving their goal.

END OF QUESTION PAPER

© The University of the West Indies Course code SOWK 2007 April/May 2008

DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY

INSTRUCTIONS: Each paper must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner and/or the
External Examiner. Where the examination does not require a University Examiner, the form must be signed by the First and
Second Examiners. Complete forms should be handed to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Examinations). The EXTERNAL
EXAMINER is requested to sign the question paper and return it with comments, if any, (on a separate sheet), to the Senior
Assistant Registrar (Examinations).

………………………………………….. …………………………………………………….
First Examiner University Examiner

…………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………….
Second Examiner External Examiner (where applicable)

Date: 2008…/…./…. Date: 2008…/…../…..