Misfitting and social practice theory: incorporating disability into the performance and (re)enactment of social practices.

This paper applies social practice theories, which focus on the pattern of everyday activities, such as studying at university or playing music. Some theorists analyse practices by looking at the different elements from which they are formed, and that has helped us to gain insights into how disabled people can get included and excluded from ordinary activities. We focus firstly on common strategies for adjusting practices, namely providing another social actor and allowing more time. Secondly, we turn to ways in which social practices can be re-designed for everyone. Thirdly, we explore practices in a more restricted and 'specialised' setting, such as a centre for disabled people. We conclude that social practice theory has not given a full account of the effect of exclusions. Disabled people's inclusion can change the shape of a practice, but it is important to recognise and embrace such changes in the mainstream of social life. Social practices are things we all do, like shopping or cooking or playing music. Some social practices are hard for some disabled people to take part in. We call that 'exclusion'. But things can change. Disabled people can be part of that change, by showing others how things can be done differently. The UK has a law called the 'Equality Act' (2010) which means public services like hospitals should include disabled people. They have to adjust the way they do things. Social practices should not just be tweaked for a disabled person. They should be changed so everyone is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]