GRSJ224/disability
Overview
Disability representation has always been problematic within our society. Although I believe in most cases, it is not a direct disrespect but rather an innocent ignorance. The purpose of this Wiki page is to address some of these misconceptions and introduce a better understanding of disability. In addition, this Wiki report will explore some of the intersectionality by relating it to gender, politics and sexuality. Trusting upon further education and openness on the issue, I firmly believe that we may improve and do better as a collective society when addressing our disabled population.
“all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights[1]"-Universal Declaration of Human Rights
A New Perspective
I want to begin our discussion by first acknowledging the systemic stigmas that disabled bodies experience in our society. The two perspectives that I will first explore is the traditional medical model[2] and the social model[3] when investigating visible and invisible disabilities. Visible disabilities include anything that is noticeable to the eyes, such as wheelchair or crane users. Invisible impairments are not so easily detected, this may include chronic pain or mental illnesses of any kind.
Medical Perspective
The traditional medical model regarding disabilities directly impairs people with disabilities socially[2]. This model is outdated and discriminatory. It views disabled people as the problem and suggests segregation until their impairments are cured[2]. Instead, we should open our eyes to the social model, which outlines that their environment rather than their bodies inhibit disabled bodies[3]. The outdated model not only directly discriminates against disabled bodies but also actively excludes them from the rest of the population[2]. If society can do a better job in accommodating disabled people with better public access, then it should pursue that goal. The real issue lies in the unconscious biases or direct discrimination held throughout our society. I would like to highlight a different but fresh viewpoint of disabled bodies. Society often views disabled bodies from a medical model viewpoint, but we need to look forward and past this outdated way of thinking, in order to create a better environment that is inclusive for all.
Social Perspective
The social perspective regarding disability is more politically progressive. This model suggests that people with disabilities are more restricted by the environment they are in than their bodies[3]. For example. A wheelchair user is only restricted by environments that are not wheelchair accessible. The existing environment must change to create a more inclusive and accessible space.The term disabled may also be used as a political protest[3]. For a person to declare that he or she is physically disabled, this may refer to being disabled by the environment. This social model is considered more up to date, progressive and inclusive. This perspective may also empower people with disabilities or short-term impairments.
Stella Young "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much"
Stella Young's Tedtalk on her experiences as a disabled woman provides a brand new perspective on the daily life of people living with disabilities. In her Tedtalk, Young expressed that she often fell victim to being subjected as an inspiration for people without disability; she refers to this as "inspiration porn"[4]. We must acknowledge that some people with disabilities are perfectly happy with their lives and comfortable in their bodies. We must not see a person in a wheelchair and automatically generate pity for the people.
Language Stigma
Some of the language society uses surrounding people with disabilities may cause serious harm to disabled bodies; some of these words include “cripple,” “handicapped,” and “freak.” These words are not just individually hurtful, but it is also extremely discriminatory which continues to contribute to the negative stigmas that the disabled population face. People that have committed to this cause should remain open-minded when being called out for these mistakes. Moreover, our communities must be prepared to acknowledge their mistakes and work towards improvement. It is through the process of continuous education and awareness where real improvement can be witnessed. When addressing people with disabilities, we must know that just like the LGBTQ community “person choice language,” attention to details may avoid many misunderstandings [5].
Examining Disability: Fighting Back the Stigma
The cartoon depicts four doctors adopting the medical model towards the man in the wheelchair. The man in the wheelchair is placed in a separate observatory cage, labelled “danger live specimen.” “One problem for the people with disabilities was that eugenicists tended to group together all allegedly “undesirable” traits.” [6]. This cartoon directly draws out the stigmas surrounding disabled bodies by boxing the disabled man in a separate space due to his undesired trait, like using a wheelchair, which implies directly being seen as an outcast, improper and a case study that needs to be isolated from society. Disabled bodies are directly dehumanized by society and are seriously misunderstood and misrepresented. The irony of the cartoon lies when one doctor says to another, “you know, sometimes I think he understands everything we say”. In reality, many disabled persons do understand the ways they get excluded in society. We need to realize that we do not need to pretend a disabled person is abled, but to treat them with the same respect and care as we treat able bodies. Improvements lie in accommodating disabled bodies more, as more consideration is required. Our mainstream media does a poor job in depicting accurate representation of disabilities, most people have little to no knowledge of this subject. We must have these difficult conversations to educate ourselves and help create a safer and more welcoming space for people with disabilities through improved daily interactions.
Disability in Relation to Medical Needs and Queerness
Queer adults with disabilities suffer from an intersection that directly puts them at great disadvantage in our social structure, while people with disabilities often face discrimination, self-representation and sexual violence, queer adults with disabilities suffer from multiple layers of disadvantage[7].
A study conducted on investigating LGBQ people’s experiences with disclosing their sexuality and gender to their primary healthcare physician found that revealing their identities to primary health physicians are seen as critical as coming out to others in real life[7]. Secondly, a therapeutic session between patient and physician will potentially make the patient more comfortable disclosing his or her sexual orientation and sexuality[7]. Finally, physicians that are openly LGBQ friendly are more likely to establish a stable relationship with their patients[7].
A Closer Look at Queerness and Disability: Disabled Lesbian Women
A study that investigated the lived experiences as a disabled lesbian found that people within this category are often considered to have few rights. In general, queer women with disabilities are generally treated as children[8]. To develop their unique identities in a stigmatized system, we must first recognize the multiple layers of challenges disabled lesbian face in mainstream society. Individuals with disabilities are socially seen as asexual or incapable of expressing themselves with a sexual partner[8]. Disabled lesbian has minimal resources available to them. Results from this study indicated that few resources are available among the lesbian queer community, such as groups, doctors and clinicians[8].
These women, in addition to their queerness, their disabilities also play a role in shaping their identities. Finally, these women may also experience sexism and limited career opportunities in addition to their disabilities and queerness[8]. Lesbian with a disability may not be accepted into the lesbian community since physical impairment may limit their ability to mobilize their bodies freely[8].
How do these women navigate through various challenges and develop their personal identities? Study results found that most women can detect degrees of acceptance and pride regarding their queerness, but struggles to cope with their disabilities positively[8]. For many of these women still, feel ashamed of their disabilities[8]. Lastly, many of these women suggest that they are more comfortable with the process of “coming out” as a lesbian instead of coming out as a woman with a disability[8]. Developing a balance between one’s queerness and disability remains a relatively new field of studies. It is only recently that the LBGTQ community has earned significant rights and recognition from society[8]. On the other hand, the disability community has also gained recognition from mainstream society, but perhaps it is still too early individuals to connect the two concepts as one.
References
- ↑ UNG General Assembly (1948). "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (PDF).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Anderson, RM (1995). "Patient Empowerment and the Traditional Medical Model" (PDF).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Shakespeare, T (2006). "The Social Model of Disability".
- ↑ Young, Stella. "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much".
- ↑ Lynch, Groombridge, RT, L (1994). "Person-first Disability Language: A Pilot Analysis of Public Perceptions". Journal of Rehabilitation; Washington, D.C. Vol. 60, Iss. 2: 18.
- ↑ Davis, LJ (2013). Introduction: Disability, normality, and power. Routledge New York. pp. 1–14.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Ramasamy, V (2017). "Experiences of adults with intellectual disability who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex or asexual: a systematic review protocol". JBI Evidence Synthesis.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Whitney, C (2006). "Intersections in Identity–Identity Development among Queer Women with Disabilities". Springer.