Disclosing Our Relationships to Disabilities: An Invitation for Disability Studies Scholars

Authors

  • Corbett OToole

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v33i2.3708

Keywords:

disability, Disability Studies, identity, ableism

Abstract

In this paper, I address the question of public nondisclosure of one’s relationship to disability within Disability Studies. I argue that we need to examine our reluctance to support public disclosure, open academic inquiries into public signifiers, encourage public disclosure, and use signifiers of one’s relationship to disability in all Disability Studies contexts. I tease out the importance of public disclosure while maintaining personal privacy related to impairment information. I explore the embedded ableism in nondisclosure. And I challenge Disability Studies to address nondisclosure as a significant barrier in the field. Specific recommendations for disclosure surrounding our relationship to disability are provided

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Published

2013-03-27

How to Cite

OToole, C. (2013). Disclosing Our Relationships to Disabilities: An Invitation for Disability Studies Scholars. Disability Studies Quarterly, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v33i2.3708

Issue

Section

Special Topic: Self-Reflection as Scholarly Praxis