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Unveiling the Disability A Study of Social Discrimination in Contemporary American Memoires
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The study aims to explore social discrimination as experienced by disabled persons and depicted in contemporary American memoirs by the disabled person. It investigates the effects of stigmatization and negative stereotypes as experienced by disabled persons in their memoirs, which further trigger social discrimination in contemporary societies. By examining these memoirs, the research aims to shed light on the societal challenges faced by disabled persons and contribute to a broader understanding of disability in the social context, with special reference to “Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harward Law” by Haben Girma (2019). The research is carried out according to the theoretical perspectives of Dr. Dana S. Dunn (2015) by employing the “Qualitative Textual Analysis Technique”. The study reveals that negative stereotypes, attitudes, and stigmatization often result in social discrimination of disabled persons. Social discrimination further leads to psychological discrimination despite various anti-discrimination laws enforced for decades in the United States. It also sheds light on the measures taken by disabled persons to overcome the negative impacts of social discrimination in practical life.
References
Adams, R. (2013). Disability studies now. American Literary History, 25(2), 495–507. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43817582
Bhabha, H. (1992). Third world and postcolonial issues. Duke University Press.
Connor, D. J., Gabel, S. L., Gallagher, D. J., & Morton, M. (2008). Disability studies and inclusive education: Implications for theory, research, and practice. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 12(5–6), 441–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603110802377582
Couser, G. T., & Mairs, N. (1997). Recovering bodies: Illness, disability, and life writing. University of Wisconsin Press.
Davis, J. (2013). Disability, life narrative, and representation. In L. J. Davis (Ed.), The disability studies reader (pp. 19–463). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203077887-44
Dovidio, J. F. (2010). The SAGE handbook of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination. SAGE.
Dunn, D. S. (2015). The social psychology of disability. Oxford University Press.
Elwan, A. (1999). Poverty and disability: A survey of the literature. Social Protection, World Bank.
Fine, M., & Asch, A. (1988). Disability beyond stigma: Social interaction, discrimination, and activism. Journal of Social Issues, 44(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1988.tb02045.x
Garland-Thomson, R. (2017). Building a world with disability in it. In A. Waldschmidt, H. Berressem, & M. Ingwersen (Eds.), Culture – Theory – Disability: Encounters between disability studies and cultural studies (pp. 51–62). Transcript Verlag. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1xxs3r.8
Gill, C. J., Mukherjee, S., Garland‐Thomson, R., & Mukherjee, D. (2016). Disability stigma in rehabilitation. PM&R, 8(10), 997–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.08.028
Gilmore, L. (2016). The life of the body in American autobiography: The year in the US. Biography, 39(4), 674–680. https://doi.org/10.1353/bio.2016.0081
Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Simon & Schuster.
Green, J. (1972). Binky Brown meets the Holy Virgin Mary. McSweeney’s.
Gruskin, S., & Tarantola, D. (2008). Universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care: Assessing the inclusion of human rights in international and national strategic plans. AIDS, 22(Suppl 2), S123–S132. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aids.0000327444.51408.21
Haanes, G. G., Hall, E. O. C., & Eilertsen, G. (2019). Acceptance and adjustment: A qualitative study of experiences of hearing and vision impairments and daily life among oldest old recipients of home care. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 14(3), e12236. https://doi.org/10.1111/opn.12236
Heller, T. (2019). Bridging ageing and intellectual/developmental disabilities in research, policy, and practice. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(1), 53–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12263
Heumann, J., & Joiner, K. (2020). Being Heumann: An unrepentant memoir of a disability rights activist. Random House.
Hunt, P. (1966). Stigma: The experience of disability. Chapman.
Hussey, J., & Hussey, R. (1997). Searching the literature. In Business research (pp. 82–113). Palgrave. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-25262-6_4
Jawaid, A., Batool, M., Arshad, W., ul Haq, M. I., Kaur, P., & Sanaullah, S. (2025). AI AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING OUTCOMES. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(1), 927-935. https://contemporaryjournal.com/index. php/14/article/view/387
Jawaid, A., Batool, M., Arshad, W., ul Haq, M. I., Kaur, P., & Arshad, S. (2025). ENGLISH LANGUAGE VOCABULARY BUILDING TRENDS IN STUDENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND A CASE OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(1), 730-737. https://contemporaryjournal.com/index.php/14/article/view/360
Johnson, H. M. (2013). Too late to die young: Nearly true tales from a life. Henry Holt.
Lalvani, P. (2012). Parents’ participation in special education in the context of implicit educational ideologies and socioeconomic status. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 47(4), 474–486. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23879640
Lionnet, F. (1989). Autoethnography: The an-archic style of Dust tracks on a road. In Autobiographical voices: Race, gender, self-portraiture (pp. 97–129). Cornell University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt207g5zp.10
Marini, I. (2018). The psychological and social impact of illness and disability. Springer.
Mitchell, D. T., & Snyder, S. L. (2001). Narrative prosthesis: Disability and the dependencies of discourse. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.11523
Mooney, J. (2020). Normal sucks: How to live, learn, and thrive outside the lines. St. Martin’s Griffin.
Nario-Redmond, M. R. (2020). Ableism: The causes and consequences of disability prejudice. Wiley Blackwell.
Rose, I. (2008). Autistic autobiography or autistic life narrative? Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 2(1), 44–54. https://doi.org/10.3828/jlcds.2.1.6
Sachs, A. (2015). The soft vengeance of a freedom fighter. University of California Press.
Sahu, K., & Sahu, S. (2015). Attitudinal barriers experienced by people with disabilities. Journal of Disability Studies, 1(1), 1–2.
Sendi, R. (2014). A social innovation for combating discrimination against persons with disabilities in the built environment. Urbani Izziv, 25(2), 119–129. https://doi.org/10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2014-25-02-004
Siebers, T. (2008). Disability theory. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.309723United Nations. (2018). UN flagship report on disability and development 2018: Realization of the sustainable development goals by, for and with persons with disabilities. https://repository.gheli.harvard.edu/repository/12797
Lahore Garrison University
Title: Unveiling the Disability A Study of Social Discrimination in Contemporary American Memoires
Description:
The study aims to explore social discrimination as experienced by disabled persons and depicted in contemporary American memoirs by the disabled person.
It investigates the effects of stigmatization and negative stereotypes as experienced by disabled persons in their memoirs, which further trigger social discrimination in contemporary societies.
By examining these memoirs, the research aims to shed light on the societal challenges faced by disabled persons and contribute to a broader understanding of disability in the social context, with special reference to “Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harward Law” by Haben Girma (2019).
The research is carried out according to the theoretical perspectives of Dr.
Dana S.
Dunn (2015) by employing the “Qualitative Textual Analysis Technique”.
The study reveals that negative stereotypes, attitudes, and stigmatization often result in social discrimination of disabled persons.
Social discrimination further leads to psychological discrimination despite various anti-discrimination laws enforced for decades in the United States.
It also sheds light on the measures taken by disabled persons to overcome the negative impacts of social discrimination in practical life.
References
Adams, R.
(2013).
Disability studies now.
American Literary History, 25(2), 495–507.
http://www.
jstor.
org/stable/43817582
Bhabha, H.
(1992).
Third world and postcolonial issues.
Duke University Press.
Connor, D.
J.
, Gabel, S.
L.
, Gallagher, D.
J.
, & Morton, M.
(2008).
Disability studies and inclusive education: Implications for theory, research, and practice.
International Journal of Inclusive Education, 12(5–6), 441–457.
https://doi.
org/10.
1080/13603110802377582
Couser, G.
T.
, & Mairs, N.
(1997).
Recovering bodies: Illness, disability, and life writing.
University of Wisconsin Press.
Davis, J.
(2013).
Disability, life narrative, and representation.
In L.
J.
Davis (Ed.
), The disability studies reader (pp.
19–463).
Routledge.
https://doi.
org/10.
4324/9780203077887-44
Dovidio, J.
F.
(2010).
The SAGE handbook of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination.
SAGE.
Dunn, D.
S.
(2015).
The social psychology of disability.
Oxford University Press.
Elwan, A.
(1999).
Poverty and disability: A survey of the literature.
Social Protection, World Bank.
Fine, M.
, & Asch, A.
(1988).
Disability beyond stigma: Social interaction, discrimination, and activism.
Journal of Social Issues, 44(1), 3–21.
https://doi.
org/10.
1111/j.
1540-4560.
1988.
tb02045.
x
Garland-Thomson, R.
(2017).
Building a world with disability in it.
In A.
Waldschmidt, H.
Berressem, & M.
Ingwersen (Eds.
), Culture – Theory – Disability: Encounters between disability studies and cultural studies (pp.
51–62).
Transcript Verlag.
http://www.
jstor.
org/stable/j.
ctv1xxs3r.
8
Gill, C.
J.
, Mukherjee, S.
, Garland‐Thomson, R.
, & Mukherjee, D.
(2016).
Disability stigma in rehabilitation.
PM&R, 8(10), 997–1003.
https://doi.
org/10.
1016/j.
pmrj.
2016.
08.
028
Gilmore, L.
(2016).
The life of the body in American autobiography: The year in the US.
Biography, 39(4), 674–680.
https://doi.
org/10.
1353/bio.
2016.
0081
Goffman, E.
(1963).
Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity.
Simon & Schuster.
Green, J.
(1972).
Binky Brown meets the Holy Virgin Mary.
McSweeney’s.
Gruskin, S.
, & Tarantola, D.
(2008).
Universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care: Assessing the inclusion of human rights in international and national strategic plans.
AIDS, 22(Suppl 2), S123–S132.
https://doi.
org/10.
1097/01.
aids.
0000327444.
51408.
21
Haanes, G.
G.
, Hall, E.
O.
C.
, & Eilertsen, G.
(2019).
Acceptance and adjustment: A qualitative study of experiences of hearing and vision impairments and daily life among oldest old recipients of home care.
International Journal of Older People Nursing, 14(3), e12236.
https://doi.
org/10.
1111/opn.
12236
Heller, T.
(2019).
Bridging ageing and intellectual/developmental disabilities in research, policy, and practice.
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(1), 53–57.
https://doi.
org/10.
1111/jppi.
12263
Heumann, J.
, & Joiner, K.
(2020).
Being Heumann: An unrepentant memoir of a disability rights activist.
Random House.
Hunt, P.
(1966).
Stigma: The experience of disability.
Chapman.
Hussey, J.
, & Hussey, R.
(1997).
Searching the literature.
In Business research (pp.
82–113).
Palgrave.
https://doi.
org/10.
1007/978-1-349-25262-6_4
Jawaid, A.
, Batool, M.
, Arshad, W.
, ul Haq, M.
I.
, Kaur, P.
, & Sanaullah, S.
(2025).
AI AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING OUTCOMES.
Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(1), 927-935.
https://contemporaryjournal.
com/index.
php/14/article/view/387
Jawaid, A.
, Batool, M.
, Arshad, W.
, ul Haq, M.
I.
, Kaur, P.
, & Arshad, S.
(2025).
ENGLISH LANGUAGE VOCABULARY BUILDING TRENDS IN STUDENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND A CASE OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN.
Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 3(1), 730-737.
https://contemporaryjournal.
com/index.
php/14/article/view/360
Johnson, H.
M.
(2013).
Too late to die young: Nearly true tales from a life.
Henry Holt.
Lalvani, P.
(2012).
Parents’ participation in special education in the context of implicit educational ideologies and socioeconomic status.
Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 47(4), 474–486.
http://www.
jstor.
org/stable/23879640
Lionnet, F.
(1989).
Autoethnography: The an-archic style of Dust tracks on a road.
In Autobiographical voices: Race, gender, self-portraiture (pp.
97–129).
Cornell University Press.
http://www.
jstor.
org/stable/10.
7591/j.
ctt207g5zp.
10
Marini, I.
(2018).
The psychological and social impact of illness and disability.
Springer.
Mitchell, D.
T.
, & Snyder, S.
L.
(2001).
Narrative prosthesis: Disability and the dependencies of discourse.
University of Michigan Press.
https://doi.
org/10.
3998/mpub.
11523
Mooney, J.
(2020).
Normal sucks: How to live, learn, and thrive outside the lines.
St.
Martin’s Griffin.
Nario-Redmond, M.
R.
(2020).
Ableism: The causes and consequences of disability prejudice.
Wiley Blackwell.
Rose, I.
(2008).
Autistic autobiography or autistic life narrative? Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 2(1), 44–54.
https://doi.
org/10.
3828/jlcds.
2.
1.
6
Sachs, A.
(2015).
The soft vengeance of a freedom fighter.
University of California Press.
Sahu, K.
, & Sahu, S.
(2015).
Attitudinal barriers experienced by people with disabilities.
Journal of Disability Studies, 1(1), 1–2.
Sendi, R.
(2014).
A social innovation for combating discrimination against persons with disabilities in the built environment.
Urbani Izziv, 25(2), 119–129.
https://doi.
org/10.
5379/urbani-izziv-en-2014-25-02-004
Siebers, T.
(2008).
Disability theory.
University of Michigan Press.
https://doi.
org/10.
3998/mpub.
309723United Nations.
(2018).
UN flagship report on disability and development 2018: Realization of the sustainable development goals by, for and with persons with disabilities.
https://repository.
gheli.
harvard.
edu/repository/12797.
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