Anita Franklin

My research is exploring the impact of home design and accessibility on the integration of pets and disabled people within shared household environments. Sociology investigates animals as part of the family, and social work works towards inclusivity and disability; my project aims to bring the two together.

My research aims to inform future research and policy in the area, particularly within the public health and disability systems. This research is important because is important because it addresses the experiences of both disabled people and nonhuman animals within the home.

Our systems don’t consider the significance of multispecies households, and the focus of our systems is commonly the individual with the disability, rather than seeing the individual and their pets as both valued and important. I hope to demonstrate that housing must be fully accessible and inclusive for both disabled people and their pets, so both can be enabled to live fulfilling lives.