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.