This module aims to provide students with knowledge of discourse and systematic relationships between Social Policy & Disability Equality in 21st century Ireland. The module will rigorously interrogate social policies made within the Republic of Ireland (RoI) nation state for and with disabled people as expert-by-experience. The Module will also critically explore the role of institutions, disability sector interests, ideas and evidence in policy governance processes for and with disabled people. The Module views a need to build capacity on the social model, to allow students to gain a critical understanding of the political, ethical, economic and social structures which contribute to current RoI disability policy governance status. Students will gain a robust understanding of relationships in which global, international and transnational influences filter through the RoI national policy-making process.

The Module will explore the effectiveness of social policies and social model informed knowledge that articulates its links with rights, disability equality and ideas of empowerment. Social Policy & Disability Equality implications will be demonstrated by students reflecting effective policy, research and practice. Issues of human rights and citizenship in 21st century Ireland will be given particular attention throughout the Applied Social Policy & Disability Equality Module.

1. Identify, analyse and critically respond to current challenges in social policy, drawing on an in-depth understanding of continuities, change and reform in the public and non-profit sector, related to systematic relationships and Disability Equality application in 21st century Ireland.

2. Analyse and interpret policy options and complex policy processes by effectively applying the tools of policy analysis to real world examples of RoI social policy and its impact & conflicts on a disabling society. Students will effectively demonstrate how intersectional disability groupings respond from a Disability Equality perspective.

3. Identify and critically engage with the ways in which social model international dynamics impact on and are filtered through national social policy to provide Disability Equality solutions to the existing challenges that arise for disabled people, communicating within the sphere of RoI disability policy structures & platforms.

4. Assess and analyse how complex conflictual political processes and socio- economic factors shape social and public policy-making from problem identification to implementation.

5. Critically respond to current challenges in social policy from a Disability Equality perspective, drawing on an in-depth understanding of continuities, reform and transformation in the community and voluntary sector.

6. Identify and critically engage with the ways in which Disability Equality dynamics impact on and are filtered through national social policies and application.

7. Critically appraise how Disability Equality informed research can improve the design & application of Republic of Ireland related social policies for & with disabled people.

The module is designed to enable students to explore the methodological issues and practical issues about research. It will assist students determine the right research design for their research questions in practice and provides an opportunity for students to debate, challenge and clarify research issues. This module provides students with the skills needed to source, evaluate, and implement evidence in practice. Students are also introduced to the many approaches used in synthesising evidence from primary studies. The module also prepares students to develop a research proposal/protocol in preparation to undertake a research study.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the steps of the research process and evidence-based practice.
2. Critically discuss theoretical perspectives on research approaches and methodology across the qualitative, quantitative and evidence synthesis domains.
3. Formulate an answerable research/clinical question using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Time (PICOT) (or equivalent) approach and demonstrate the ability to systematically search for evidence.
4. Describe a plan with clear rationales for data collection, sampling, data analysis and rigour to be used when conducting a primary qualitative or quantitative study or evidence synthesis.
5. Identify and discuss appropriate reporting guideline for research and discuss relevant application of guidelines with the chosen research approach.
6. Defend appropriate project plan and outcomes pertaining to the proposed study

This module will give students the opportunity to critically analyse the influence of the media on our cultural perceptions and responses to disability. The representation of disability in the media will be deconstructed and analysed. Disability narratives in the media will be critically examined.

1. Critically analyse the ways in which traditional media influences our cultural perceptions of and responses to disability.

2. Critically discuss the diversity and similarities between global and Western representations of disability in the media

3. Critically analyse the forms, themes, and the politics of disability narratives that appear in the media.

4. Critically discuss the role of new media (digital media and social networks) in promoting the participation of disabled people in public discourse.