Graduation Date
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Maria Bartlet
Fourth Committee Member Name
Dr. Donna Shafer
Keywords
Sociology
Subject Categories
Sociology
Abstract
People with disabilities are the most oppressed social group in the world. According to some estimates, 500 million people are victims of disabilityoppression. People with disabilities, as well as society, have undergone radical changes over the last 30 years. Activists, legislators, academics, and families of people with disabilities, have been largely responsible in pointing out the social realities of the disability experience. People with disabilities continue to experience a tremendous amount of discrimination however, and the stigma of being a person with a disability is slow to fade. The current thesis surveys the literature on disability, demonstrating the manner in which sociology has begun to reflect changing conceptions of the disability experience. Exploring how medically based formulations of disability affect perceptions, practices, and social structures, sociologists have put forth the concept of the minority-group model of disability. This shift in perspective reframes people with disabilities as a politically active social group. Of particular interest are the self-valuations of academics with disabilities. Their formulations on the disability experience have helped form a bridge between activism and scholarship, informing the social sciences overall, and creating a dialogue that has begun to redefine the concept of disability in society. iv Critiques on the vocational rehabilitation system have indicated an over-dependence on medical model paradigms. The current thesis discusses much-needed changes only recently beginning to take place in vocational rehabilitative services provided to people with disabilities. The disability rights movement is the activist-based human rights movement currently making the most advances throughout the world. Affecting sociological formulations of disability, the disability rights movement is deconstructing traditional definitions of disability and changing the perceptions of society. Feminist social work practice is an effective way of approaching therapeutic interventions that balance power discrepancies within the traditional, helper-helped model of practice. Feminist social work practice views empowerment as a process of complete mutuality where people endeavor to consciously co-create interactions, relationships, and environments that promote self-actualization. This thesis recommends feminist social work practice to service providers working with people with disabilities. By sharing my 10 years of work experience with people with disabilities (see APPENDIX A), I will make recommendations to agencies that create environments and provide services and resources to people with disabilities, as well as to legislators whose definitions of disability affect the lives of people with disabilities and the structure of our world.
Recommended Citation
Grossman, Michael E., "A Feminist/Interactionist Approach to Disability" (2002). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2466.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2466