Driving in unheard silence: Disability and the politics of shutting up.
The politics of silence is central to disability experience and the field of disability studies. In this analytical autoethnography, I write about my silences as a visually impaired woman. I explore and make sense of personal life stories through a theoretical perspective. The analysis of these personal experiences lead me to argue that disability-related silences are mostly created through the confluence of inaccessible physical and social environments and the psychological internalisation of these worlds. I also discuss the ways in which I am currently regaining my voice. Further research on resistance by disabled persons is recommended.
University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Heidi
H
Lourens
D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011057:Politics; D012922:Social Change; D062487:Social Marginalization / Q000523:psychology*; D013019:South Africa; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000523:psychology
South Africa; autoethnography; disability; silence; visual impairment