Praticare l’approccio anti-oppressivo nel lavoro sociale con le persone con disabilità

This paper aims to develop a reflection on the application of the anti-oppressive approach in services for people with disabilities. Starting from the basic concepts of the approach and research, it highlights how forms of oppression manifest themselves in the lived experience of people with disabilities in terms of negative effects on social and interpersonal relationships. In particular, it develops a reflection on the possible impact of oppression within helping relationships characterised by a situation of power inequality, in order to promote reflexive practice aimed at building fairer relationships and shared decision-making processes. It also explores the practical implications of the approach, particularly in doing assessment and planning, to show how tools can support anti-oppressive action by practitioners. The paper concludes with a reflection on the possible role of practitioners in reducing the impact of oppression in the lived experience of people with disabilities, starting from the construction of care and support interventions from a participatory, community and territorial perspective.