Hi Peter,

Thanks for your insight. I am trying to download your thesis but the link requires a special log-in. Is there some other way I can access it?

Peter, how do you handle the individuals who are not capable of making choices? e.g those with profound mental retardation.
There is a tendency for debates about disabilty to be taken over by a small group of outspoken individuals who consider they know what is best for everyone (what we might call the 'nobody wants to live in an institution' brigade).
Would services be more efficient, less standardised and more personal if some of these outspoken individuals stopped to listen to what other disabled people actually wanted? They have been bullying them into submission for years and then complain that they are apathetic!

Yes Communicat, your points are entirely correct. We (community) cope with what we get from government (satire & rhetoric) and then turn to receive more of it from inside our own community support groups.

Silo cultures are a serious matter in Australia. Everywhere thriving, a bully culture with its patronising bedside manner, its strategic denial from those claiming ALL status and ALL power for a few. It seems as a national community we have lost the most important elements that once held us together as a Aussie nation.

I find community work these days adversely hard going. Service driven with little gain to those who are supposed to benefit. Co-dependence between people (including support workers) is becoming ever increasing. (don't rock the boat or you'll loose ya job matie!)

It is sick this norm given the millions it is costing financially and in valuable human capital. It is not just about the money it is about the archaic processes and administrative waste this lack of productive usefulness creates.

Hopelessness mobile on indifference. Life-quality strained by more and more stress and basic disturbances... soon to impact ALL, (I fear) if this nation doesn't get a grip on itself.

http://www.miacat.com/

Having read some of Marta Russell's compelling writings on disability and Kaputalism, I too would appreciate the opportunity to read your Phd Thesis Peter - if only we could access it!

My email address dr.peter.gibilisco@bigpond.com if you write to me I will forward my thesis, thank you for your interest