MACMILLAN Intellectual Disability and Social Policies of Inclusion: Invading Consciousness without Permeability

This book explores why, after forty years of funded policies of social inclusion, persons living with an intellectual disability are still separated from the social fabric of neoliberal societies. David Treanor shows how the nature of the reform process is driven unnecessarily by the economic neoliberal paradigm, the cultural misconceptions of intellectual disability, and the inattention accorded to personal relationships between persons living with and without an intellectual disability. Treanor utilizes John Macmurray’s personalist philosophy, Julia Kristeva’s ontology of disability and Michele Foucault’s concept of bio-power to explain this phenomenon. The concepts in this book challenge current approaches to social inclusion and have radical implications for future practices. Review “David Treanor builds a compelling case that neoliberalism, with its emphasis on success, independence and the marketplace works against inclusion. He calls for the praxis of nationally coordinated disability support systems to embrace personalist principles that have at their core a relational focus that moves people in from the margin. How to go about this challenge brings the book to conclusion. It is an enlightening read.” (Patricia O’Brien, Director, Centre for Disability Studies, and Professor of Disability Studies, University of Sydney, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health) “Treanor’s unwavering commitment to the full humanity of all persons flows through every page of this important book. It is precisely this commitment which enables him to perceive the ongoing structural, systemic, and attitudinal barriers to dignity and belonging faced by persons with an intellectual disability. This is a ‘must-read’ for anyone working in disability services, engaged with government policy, or indeed, for anyone who shares or would like to share their life with someone who has an intellectual disability.” (Dr Lucy Tatman, University of Tasmania) “This book makes an important contribution to contemporary disability studies, providing one of the few comprehensive philosophical treatments of the subject. Drawing on a wide range of sources, but with a strong emphasis on a personalist approach, Treanor develops a clear and convincing critique of current disability policy and practice.”(Jeff Malpas, Distinguished Professor, University of Tasmania) From the Back Cover This book explores why, after forty years of funded policies of social inclusion, persons living with an intellectual disability are still separated from the social fabric of neoliberal societies. David Treanor shows how the nature of the reform process is driven unnecessarily by the economic neoliberal paradigm, the cultural misconceptions of intellectual disability, and the inattention accorded to personal relationships between persons living with and without an intellectual disability. Treanor utilizes John Macmurray’s personalist philosophy, Julia Kristeva’s ontology of disability and Michele Foucault’s concept of bio-power to explain this phenomenon. The concepts in this book challenge current approaches to social inclusion and have radical implications for future practices. David P. Treanor specializes in disability, ethics, friendship, human dignity and personalism. His research utilizes the philosophy of personalism and the concept of persons in relation.  About the Author David P. Treanor specializes in disability, ethics, friendship, human dignity and personalism. His research utilizes the philosophy of personalism and the concept of persons in relation.