Disability, Inequality and Intersectionality

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.

Examine disability equality and social change

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.

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.

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.

• 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.