Why Disability Studies Scholars Must Challenge Transmisogyny and Transphobia

We argue the need for coalition between trans and disability studies and activism, and that Disability Studies gives us the tools for this task. Our argument rests upon six facets. First and foremost, we explicitly acknowledge the existence of trans disabled people, arguing that Disability Studies must recognise the diversity of disabled people’s lives. Second, we consider how the homogenisation of womanhood, too often employed in transmisogonist arguments particularly when coming from those claiming to be feminists, harm both non-disabled trans women and cis disabled women. This leads to our third point, that Feminist Disability studies must be anti-reductive, exploring how gendered experiences rest upon other social positions (disability, queerness, race etc.) Fourth, we reflect upon the ways in which Disability Studies and feminism share a struggle for bodily autonomy, and that this should include trans people’s bodily autonomy. Finally, we argue that Trans and Disability Studies and activism share complex and critical relationships with medicine, making Disability and Trans Studies useful allies in the fight for better universal health care. We conclude by calling for our colleagues in Disability Studies to challenge transmisogony and transphobia and that transphobia is not compatible with Disability Studies perspectives

'My anger is what has driven me to get this far...': Securing Positive Housing Pathways for Care Leavers in Australia.

It has long been known that care leavers are far more likely to experience homelessness and insecure housing than other young people, although exactly why there is such a strong relationship between an experience of care and homelessness has been subject to considerable conjecture. This is the background to an AHURI-funded research study examining the housing pathways of young people who have left state care in Australia. This study interviewed 77 young care leavers and identified two broad pathways for young people from care into independent housing – a relatively unproblematic or smooth transition, compared to a much more problematic or volatile transition. Importantly, some three quarters of our respondents had experienced a problematic or volatile transition form care, involving homelessness and a range of significant housing problems. It is crucial to remember, however, that these housing pathways are not static and some young people are able to make tangible progress towards attaining and maintaining independent housing, often in the face of striking adversity. This paper focuses upon these housing pathways and specifically reflects upon what makes a difference to care leavers’ ability to successfully move on. Housing affordability is absolutely pivotal here, but is not the only influence. This paper argues that addressing substance abuse; providing appropriate professional support; developing supportive family relationships and securing employment are all instrumental in establishing successful housing pathways for care leavers

The feasibility of implementing a novel electrical stimulation device in the self-management of hand burn pain

Burns are widely acknowledged as one of the most painful injuries experienced, and poorly controlled pain following burn injury has been linked to reduced psychological adjustment, lower quality of life, and increased risk of developing a chronic pain state. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation has been used for pain relief in a range of medical conditions, and may have the potential to reduce pain and analgesic consumption for burns patients. The burn care environment presents unique challenges to the introduction of new interventions, and the feasibility of introducing a novel form of electrical stimulation into this environment has not been tested. This single case experimental design study explores the feasibility of engaging burns patients and staff in the use of a novel electrical stimulation device, which may offer solutions for some of the limitations previously identified with traditional electrical stimulation. Four outpatients, with minor hand burns, self-applied the device over a period of up to 13 days. Multiple sources of data were gathered, both at home, and in the clinic during wound care procedures; from participants, nursing staff and the researcher, to obtain different perspectives. Each case was analysed separately regarding changes at the time the device was introduced. Data collected included ratings of pain, anxiety and confidence in the ability to manage their own pain. Participant and staff ratings on ease of use and interference of the device with regular activities were also explored, along with the level of motivation to use the device. Analysis of trends and relationships between multiple data sources demonstrated that, for these participants with hand burns, the self-application of a novel electrical stimulation device was feasible. Recommendations for further research and clinical practice are outlined

Master of Science

thesisTwo microfluidics devices are presented, which are used to further study of the Caenorhabditis elegans worm (C. elegans). The first device is a tool for ranking the muscle force between mutant and wild type strains of worms. The second device is a screening chip, which is designed to decrease the amount of time needed to screen the C. elegans worm, and does not require the use of anesthetics to immobilize them for imaging. The muscle force tool operates by compressing a worm in a microchannel with a flexible Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane. The force the membrane exerts on the worm is determined by air pressure controlled using a sensitive regulator. The method mimics the natural environment of the worm, where it must move through soil. Worms are tested by loading them into the chip and air pressure against the membrane is increased in increments until the worm becomes immobilized. To rank strains of worms according to muscle force, the pressures at which the worms become immobilized are compared. The chip operates on the hypothesis that a higher pressure indicates a greater muscle contraction force. The chip was tested using three strains of worms: a wild type and two strains with genetic knockouts of specific ion channels at the neuromuscular junction. Immobilization pressures are given for each strain. The screening chip is designed to be operated on a confocal microscope, and is used for taking high magnification images and videos of the worms. To perform the screening process, the chip separates a single worm form a solution containing many worms using a tapered channel and filter. Second, the worm is immobilized for imaging using a flexible PDMS membrane, which compresses the worm against a cover slip. Third, the worm is transported to one of two holding containers. Worm movement through the device is controlled on screen through a custom computer program. This work discusses the design, fabrication and testing results of the microfluidic chips

Infrared absorption in thin metallic films

Thesis (M.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physics, 197

The thermal decomposition of unirradiated and irradiated lithium azide

Bibliography: pages 205-212.The thermal decomposition in vacuo of lithium azide, in powder and pellet form, has been investigated. The temperature range was 160° - 220° C. The results obtained were highly reproducible, and a study of the reaction kinetics was made for both the pelleted and powdered forms of the azide. Mathematical analysis of the results obtained indicated that discrete nuclei are formed over the induction period which then grow two-dimensionally over the acceleratory period. The nuclei increase in number linearly with time and overlap and ingestion of the nuclei occurs during the acceleratory period. This was shown by the applicability of the Avrami-Erofeyev equation with the exponent n assuming the value 3, for the analysis of the acceleratory period p/t plot. The nuclei are formed mainly over the external surfaces of the decomposing particles. The effects produced by pre-irradiation with γ-, X- and U.V.- radiation on the subsequent thermal decomposition have been studied. These studies were largely on the powdered lithium azide, but some attention was also given to pre-irradiating the pelleted material. Pre-irradiation of the powdered material resulted in a marked shortening of the length of the induction period followed by an increased acceleratory rate, for the types of radiation employed. X- and U.V.-radiation did not have any significant effect on the decay period reaction rater The p/t plots were sigmoid, as found for the unirradiated azide. Applicability of the Avrami-Enofeyev equation in the analysis of the acceleratory period for the irradiated azide indicated that two-dimensional nuclei formed and grew on the surfaces of the particles, except in the case of γ-irradiated lithium azide when the reaction was largely confined to internal grain boundaries. Similar mechanisms operate over the induction periods for the unirradiated and irradiated azide. A change in the value of the activation energy for the acceleratory periods, indicated that the rate determining step for this stage of the reaction is altered after pre-irradiation. The same mechanism was applicable for the decay stages of the unirradiated and irradiated azide. The effects of pre-irradiation with all three types of radiation, resulted in a double-sigmoid p/t plot in the case of pelleted lithium azide. The initial reaction was confined to the surface of the pellet pre-irradiated with U.V., and occured throughout the bulk of the pellets pre-irradiated with γ- and X-rays

Failure of care in state care: in-care abuse and postcare homelessness

This paper reviews initial findings from an AHURI (Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute)-funded research project examining housing outcomes amongst Australian young people who have been in state out-of-home care. Our findings suggest a linkage between incidents of in-care abuse and poor postcare housing outcomes amongst our research participants, including primary homelessness. Not attending school when leaving care was also highly associated with having experienced in-care abuse. The authors postulate that adverse in-care experiences may have contributed to poor postcare housing outcomes amongst the research participants and this paper raises a number of specific concerns related to neglect, abuse and assault whilst in care. It is also argued that support in the transition from care needs to be strengthened to mitigate poor postcare outcomes, as does accountability for in-care adversities

'I could have used a lot more help...': The Impact of Australian Housing Market Dynamics upon Young Care Leavers and Homeless Youth.

This paper draws upon the findings of two empirical research studies examining how the dynamics of a vibrant Australian housing market impact upon young people’s housing and often lead to homelessness for the most vulnerable, particularly care leavers. Largely excluded from home ownership; ineligible for social housing and forced to rely upon a highly competitive private rental market, many Australian young people find themselves experiencing significant difficulties with securing and maintaining independent housing. For some, their first experience of independence is homelessness, especially for young people leaving the purview of state care. Crucially, the dynamics of the housing market also impact heavily upon agencies working to support young people in their transition to independence, not least by limiting exit strategies and options for suitable move on accommodation. Drawing upon original interviews with support agencies and young care leavers, this paper raises some pertinent questions for policy makers and emphasises the importance of affordability problems for severely limiting the ability of many young people to both obtain and maintain independent housing. However, this paper also argues that housing and labour market dynamics should not be considered in isolation. On the contrary, it is clear that sometimes relatively small modifications to intervention and support for vulnerable young people can make a huge difference to their accommodation options and successful transitions from care or youth services to independent housing