In their recent book 'disabled people and social policy', Michael
Oliver and Colin Barnes talk about a 'positive disabled identity' in
the context of the Disabled People's Movement. As a relative
'new-comer' to the field, there are a number of related issues that I
am unclear about; can someone point me in the 'right' direction?
Do people with certain types of impairment predominate in the
Disabled People's Movement? eg. people with physical impairments?
In consequence, is a 'positive disabled identity' something that is
largely open to people with physical impairments? Are those say with
intellectual impairments more likely to experience a 'negative
disabled identity'?
Are there currently any difficulties in achieving solidarity (eg. a
sense of community, shared perceptions and goals) between disabled
people with different types of impairment? Without wishing to be
contentious, I have heard that some disabled people with physical
impairments are keen to distance themselves from those with
intellectual impairments.
Can we talk about divisions between disabled people based on
impairment in the same way that sociologists talk about intra-class
divisions?
More generally, is disability a single identity and conversely, are
different groups of disabled people in competition with each other
eg. for employment, public recognition and resources etc?
Once again, if I could excuse my ignorance on these issues and thank
any list members in advance for any advice they may be able to offer.
Regards
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