This thesis explores the citizenship rights of people with disabilities and their experience in relation to one activity and industry - tourism. It is proposed that people with disabilities living in Australia have been excluded, oppressed and disadvantaged by government, tourism authorities (TA) and tourism industry (TI), practice and discourses. This exclusion, oppression and disadvantage has been perpetrated by the government, tourism authorities and tourism industry, whose practices and discourses do not provide an equality of service provision for the group. From this position the central question addressed is: To what extent are the tourism patterns and experiences of people with impairments in Australia unduly constrained by tourism authorities and tourism industry practice and discourse? In taking direction from the social model of disability (Oliver 1990), the proposition deliberately uses the word impairments rather than disabilities as both a definitional and conceptual approach to the research. This is because the question tests whether the social relations produce the constraints that people with impairments face in negotiating tourism experiences and, hence, create disabling journeys. In other words, the disabling social relations transform the impaired person to the person with a disability in the tourism context. 'Unduly' means that people with disabilities were not provided with an equality of service provision in comparison to the non-disabled. The research design and methodology involves inductive inquiry utilising both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. This includes a multiple methodological approach involving secondary data analysis of major national and regional surveys, content/discourse analysis, in-depth interviews and a focus group. The secondary data sources involved the Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey (ABS 1993; 1998 n=42,000), National Visitors Survey (BTR 1998 n=78,000) and Anxiety to Access (Tourism NSW 1998 n=2647). A content analysis is undertaken of the HREOC (2002) complaint cases, public hearings, public inquiries, disability action plans and disability Standards projects relevant to tourism. A content analysis is also undertaken of tourism authorities' disability tourism initiatives from 1990-2000. In depth interviews are undertaken with three separate populations that include people with disabilities (n=15), accommodation managers (n=10) and responsible officers from tourism authorities (n=3). A focus group of accommodation managers (n=23) is also undertaken. The data are analysed and interpreted using binary logistic regression, ordinal logistic regression, phenomenology, grounded theory and discourse analysis. The central argument to emerge from this thesis is that disability is a social relationship - or rather a complex set of social relationships - between people with disabilities, and the organisations that control and administer the institutional and social environments in which they live. Tourism represents an important arena for social and cultural participation. Given the commitment by governments to 'reduce disability' it is thus critical to consider whether the relationships in the area of tourism are disabling or enabling. The thesis shows that the practices and discourses of tourism authorities and the tourism industry unduly constrain the tourism opportunities and experiences of people with impairments in Australia and create disabling journeys.

Bibliography: leaves 385-420. / vi, 420 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / An exploration of the Australian refugee detention policy, which argues that the resort to detention is discriminatory and founded in the fear of Australia's "significant other" - the Asian. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Politics, 1999

The general goal of this research is to address the question, what makes consensus work in resource management decision-making? Its purpose is to identify success factors for employing the consensus decision-making model specifically in land use planning; to examine the models incepted by the government of British Columbia during the period 1992-1995; and to investigate the application and effectiveness of the models as actually employed in integrated resource planning in British Columbia. The specific objective is to develop a general diagnostic framework for evaluation, based on indicators and success factors derived from a review of pertinent literature; from interviews with stakeholder participants in these processes; through review of government documentation, and through interviews with government officials who design and manage those processes. Four general success factors for public involvement were derived from the literature: Integrity; Explicit Objectives; Early Stakeholder Identification; and Strategic Communication. These are then examined in this research in the context of consensus. Government documentation provides a historical background of the development of integrated resource management in the province. It is shown that British Columbia’s resource-based economy is cyclic and it is postulated that environmental policies and proactive planning tend to swing with economic cycles. Increasing environmental conflict in the 1990’s led the governments of the day to embrace innovative planning methods, including provisions for public involvement at the degree of shared decision-making, or consensus processes with affected stakeholders. Consensus was employed at the regional level with the establishment of the Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE) in 1992, and even earlier at the sub-regional scale with Land and Resource Management Planning; and at the community level with Local Resource Use Plans, administered by the Ministry of Forests. No provision for evaluating these processes was outlined; existing evaluations consisted of summative reports prepared by process managers or facilitators. Interviews with policy and senior managers of government contributed another success factor to be tested, that of Management Style. Additional success factors were compiled through a pilot study, government reports, and previous evaluations, such as the CORE Vancouver Island survey. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 managers and participants of consensus processes at all three levels, in eight planning regions of the province. As interviews of participants proceeded, any new factors which emerged were also added to the list below. Integrity of process, Commitment of participants, Openness, Explicit objectives, Early stakeholder identification, Strategic communication, Facilitator, Solid information, Clear policy guidelines, Prescreening participants, Training, Neutral chair/process mgr., Interpersonal dynamic, Clear operating principles, Relationships, Representative of constituency, Funding, Continuity of participants, Local participants, Meeting facility, Plain language, Size of group, Budget, support of ministry, Respondents rated, defined and discussed these factors, and answered general questions regarding success of consensus processes. From qualitative and quantitative analysis, using the spreadsheet program Excel, the following indicators (the top quartile) were determined to be “critical” to the success of a consensus planning process: Integrity; Solid Information; Facilitator, Commitment of Participants; Explicit Objectives; Training; Strategic Communication; and Government Support. Based on an analysis of the definitions and comments of participants, an evaluation framework was developed for consensus processes in land use planning. This includes diagnostic questions, followed by further considerations and recommendations for some critical indicators. The significance of this study will be in the short term to planners of consensus public involvement processes; in the long run as part of an adaptive model of contemporary resource management decision-making. / Graduate

Ph.D. (Mineral Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The development and implementation of municipal smoking-control bylaws in British Columbia during the 1990s was characterized by polarity and confrontation. Health sector professionals, members of the hospitality industry, community activists, and municipal politicians disagreed over the need for bylaws, types of establishments that should be regulated, and the degree of restriction. This research used narrative policy analysis to understand the factors that influenced the development of these bylaws in order to delineate a less confrontational process and ensure a more stable resolution. Narratives were collected from representatives of the main policy sectors in four communities throughout British Columbia. Victoria and Vancouver represented urban communities that were updating existing bylaws. Professional staff headed their top-down bylaw processes. In the rural communities of Squamish and Kimberley community volunteers attempted to introduce new bylaws through a bottom-up process. The narratives proved to be a rich source of information that would have been difficult to capture in any other manner. They offer a novel and fruitful means of engaging in policy analysis. The provincial government's tobacco-control strategy served as a backdrop for all policy processes, although it was experienced unequally in the four communities. Urban centres were more aware of provincial tobacco-control initiatives and accessed provincial resources to a greater extent than did Kimberley and Squamish. Each policy sector was led by champions, but the nature of these groups and individuals greatly influenced their success. Those who were credible, persistent, and had access to decision makers were most likely to influence the policy-making process. The antagonism that distinguished the bylaw process was itself a determinant. In all communities, the discord reached a level where it precluded a fair and inclusive process. The bylaw debate was framed and reframed by different sectors. The ability of champions to reach policy makers and frame the debate in a way that was compelling played a significant role in the outcome. Finally, the narratives indicate that each community's “readiness” for policy change is a factor that must be considered. Community readiness was seen to comprise seven main components: (1) each policy sector's belief that a policy is worth adopting and their ability to successfully influence the public and policy makers; (2) the nature of a community—its size, demographics, and social norms; (3) the politicians involved and the ability of champions to understand the political process and reach policy makers; (4) the type of policy under consideration and its relationship to both previous statutes and social norms; (5) the ability of media to reflect sectoral interests and influence public knowledge and attitudes; (6) the temporal context in which the policy change was considered; and (7) a process that fits the needs and resources of the community. / Graduate

The Pangnirtung Tourism Program was initiated by the Government of the Northwest Territories as a pilot study in northern community based tourism in Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, in 1981. This thesis is a case study documentation and evaluation of that program. Its focus is to examine the program from the perspective of its participants, which include the residents of Pangnirtung, and planners, tourism representatives, consultants and government officials that have been involved with the program. The thesis identifies what the program's objectives are, what the program's strengths and weaknesses are in achieving its objectives, and how it could have been improved to better meet local community development goals. Documentation methods included an extensive literature search, personal interviews with 101 program participants, and a one-month stay in Pangnirtung. The Pangnirtung Tourism Program was initiated with the following main objectives: a) to set up a test case and demonstration project in northern tourism that could be learned from; b) to strengthen and diversify the economy in Pangnirtung; c) to encourage development that fit in with local lifestyles and social goals; and d) to contribute to capacity building in local community development. During the program's planning phase, community consultation was held, a local Tourism Committee was formed, and a consultants' report outlining a five-year strategy was produced. During implementation, the Tourism Committee has taken the lead in managing the program. Development programs have included: trail construction, historic sites development, a visitors' centre, host programs, cultural programs, outfitter training, local purchase of the hotel, and Committee organization. Since the program started, tourism visitation has increased, the industry is more controlled by locals, and there are more tourism activities in the community. As a test case, the program pioneered a new method of tourism development in the north, and much has been learned. No formal monitoring has been done, however, and this has limited its value as a tourism research and demonstration tool. The program has also created jobs and increased incomes in the community, however, most new jobs and income have been in the public sector. Therefore, it is questionable whether the program has served to decrease or increase dependency on government. The lack of documented data makes it impossible to do a detailed economic analysis. With rapidly increasing visitation and changing public expenditures, the economic impacts of the program should be closely monitored in the future. The program has also fitted in reasonably well with local lifestyles, and its cultural projects have contributed to local social programs. Minor disruptions of lifestyles and culture were documented, however, and these may well increase with increased visitation. The program should be monitored in the future to identify and mitigate potential social problems. The program also contributed, in a limited way, to capacity building in community development. Through involvement in businesses and the Tourism Committee, local people have controlled the direction of the program and have started building skills in business and program management. A lack of business awareness and management skills is still a major problem in the community, however, and increased training and organizational development to build this capacity should be given a priority. In conclusion, the program has been successful in achieving many of its objectives, and provides many lessons for tourism development in the north. By emphasizing local control, involvement and management, tourism has been developed with the participation of local people for the benefit of local people. By pioneering and demonstrating this approach in one Inuit community, the Pangnirtung Tourism Program has contributed significantly to facilitating community based tourism development in the north. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This thesis is a study of the current backlash against immigration and multiculturalism policies. The author looks at current arguments against both policies, and compares them to evidence. These arguments are drawn from the media; the writings of critics like Richard Gwyn, and William D. Gairdner; and the policies of the Reform Party. It will provide a historical review of the experiences of immigrant groups in adapting to Canadian society. From this review, the author identifies several consistent themes in anti-multiculturalism and anti-immigration literature, which include: multiculturalism is little more than "flash and dance", the policy is unanimously unpopular among the general public, immigrants take jobs from Canadian-born, immigrants are a burden to society, and that immigrants are not needed to offset the ageing of the Canadian population. The author concludes that these criticisms are based on misconceptions and distortions of facts. In some cases, the criticisms reflect more of an attack on minority groups rather than on these policies, and reveal a movement to reverse the pluralistic nature of Canadian society. This research comes at a time when the debate over these policies is clouded with emotion. The author makes several recommendations as to how the public education system can help counter the use of these themes in the media. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

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