Swamy Vivekananda Vidya Samsthe (R)
Kumadvathi College of Education, Shikaripura
SUBJECT
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
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Topic
Disability – psychological construction of disability identity,
discrimination
What is disability identity?
A disability identity is someone who recognizes that their
disability seems to come before anything else in life when
it comes to work, socialization, community choices and
how they view themselves in a appreciative way.
It also is a way of getting the ‘disability’ out there so they
can focus on something other than.
What is psychological disability?
A psychological disability is defined as a persistent
psychological or psychiatric disorder, emotional or mental
illness that adversely affects educational performance.
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Definition Of Disability
Not everyone with a medical condition is protected by the law. In order to be protected, a
person must be qualified for the job and have a disability as defined by the law.
A person can show that he or she has a disability in one of three ways:
1. A person may be disabled if he or she has a physical or mental condition that substantially limits
a major life activity (such as walking, talking, seeing, hearing, or learning).
2. A person may be disabled if he or she has a history of a disability (such as cancer that is in
remission).
3. A person may be disabled if he is believed to have a physical or mental impairment that is not
transitory (lasting or expected to last six months or less) and minor (even if he does not have
such an impairment).
4. Our choices are often dictated because of our disability,
right down to our housing that is available to us. So where
we work, where we live and who we interact with is highly
relational to our disability.
5. It’s coming from the fact that how we view our lives, our
relationship is often based on how we are treated. That’s
why disability has a culture, and is NOT a subculture.
6) In psychological research, the term identity is often used to
refer to the self, expressions of individuality and the groups to
which people belong. Our identities define us because they
contain personality traits and highlight social roles, and they
can be focused on our past, present and future selves.
7) Disability identity refers to possessing a positive sense of self
and feelings of connection to, or solidarity with, the disability
community.
For people with disabilities, an identity should contain
relevant content and goals linked to disability. In effect, disability
identity should guide people with disabilities towards what to do,
what to value and how to behave in those situations where their
disability stands out, as well as those where it is not salient.
Six Themes in Disability identity
CAUÀªÊÉ PÀ®å UÀÄgÀÄw¸ÀÄ«PÉAiÀÄ DgÀÄ ¸ÀAUÀwUÀ¼ÄÀ
1. Communal attachment. (PÉÆêÀÄÄ ¨ÁAzsÀªÀå)
A recurring theme in the formation of disability identity is the
importance of community, where people with disabilities are
actively engaged with their peers due to common experience.
Some research suggests that a sense of communal attachment, a
community-based form of identity integration, is like “coming
home” for many people with disabilities.
2. Affirmation of disability. (Emotional Support) zÀÈrüÃPÀgt
À
A second personal identity factor is that many people are
disposed towards the affirmation of disability. Personal affirmation of
disability is a way to feel included in society by having the same rights
and responsibilities as other citizens, to be recognized and treated like
everyone else within a group or society more generally.
3. Disability identity politics and activism. gÁdQÃAiÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ QæAiÀiÁ²Ã®vÉ
Three themes are relevant to disability identity as understood
within psychological contexts where politics and activism emerge.
4. Self-worth, pride and awareness of discrimination.
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Self-worth, the idea that one values oneself, is dependent on
an individual’s ability to perform activities or tasks viewed as
important to the self, others and society more generally (e.g.,
performing activities of daily living).
5. pride (ºÉªÉÄäAiÀÄ) refers to being proud of one’s identity and, in the
process, acknowledging possessing a socially-devalued quality, such
as a mental or a physical disability. Pride encourages people with
disabilities to “claim” rather than deny or mask disability.
6. The third domain, discrimination, (vÁgÀvÀªÀÄå) entails awareness
and recognition of the reality that people with disabilities are often
the targets of biased, prejudiced and unfair treatment within daily
life.