Feminist Disability Studies by

Feminist Disability Studies

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:01:45 UTC

This theory that feminist theory must incorporate disability as a category of analysis to fully address issues of both oppression and identity.

Importance

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:17:39 UTC

Disability is a less familiar concept in my knowledge of intersectionality as it relates to oppression and identity. It is relevant to the discussion of justice and identity politics, and it affects not just disabled people, but everyone who is oppressed. Disability should be marked as a social identity, but not everyone sees it that way.

Rosemarie Garland-Thomson

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:23:29 UTC

-argues that that feminist theory must integrate disability as a key category of analysis to fully account for how power and oppression operate.

-while disability is a biological fact, it is also a cultural and social category shaped by exclusion, similar to gender.

-feminist disability studies how ableism intersects with sexism, racism, and classism.

"Normate"

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:29:32 UTC

-refers to the unmarked, privileged body that society assumes as the standard of normalcy.

-it is not seen as a standard, rather than an identity that is socially structured.

-disability studies critiques how ableism upholds the normate as the ideal body.

Ableism

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:33:39 UTC

-the systemic privileging of able-bodied individuals.

-oftentimes also marginalizes against disabled people.

-similar to how patriarchy privileges men and racism privileges whiteness- ableism privileges those who fit the normate standard of physical and mental ability.

Disability studies interactions with feminism

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:36:51 UTC

-traditionally, feminism emphasizes bodily autonomy and empowerment.

-assumes able-bodied independence, ignoring the realities of disabled people who rely on care networks and interdependence.

-baleism restricts disabled women’s access to social inclusion, compounding their restrictions.

Relevant connection: Kimberlé Crenshaw’s basement analogy and Garland-Thomson’s normate/feminist disability study

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:41:10 UTC

-Crenshaw's basement analogy explains how systems of oppression prioritize certain marginalized identities while leaving others behind.

-the normate functions as a privileged social position, reinforcing structural inequalities, as per Crenshaw's analogy.

-mirrors how those who almost fit the normate (a disabled person who is still white and middle-class) may have more opportunities than someone further from it.

Controversy: assisted suicide

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:47:21 UTC

-most feminists support assisted suicide and euthanasia as part of bodily autonomy.

-these policies are rooted in ableism, sending the message that disabled lives are less valuable.

-ex. legalization of medical aid in dying (assisted suicide) in Canada has been criticized because disabled and poor people are disproportionately choosing death due to lack of social supports, not because they truly want to die.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990, U.S.)

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:52:07 UTC

-prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, education, public sphere, etc.

-reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals.

-gendered experiences of disability are excluded, meaning that disabled women still face unique barriers that go unaddressed.

-fails to acknowledge or protect the fact that caregiving responsibilities disproportionately fall on women.

Legal gaps in feminist disability studies

ovogel3 — 2025-03-03 02:57:17 UTC

-many laws exist that protect disabled people or women and their rights, but few address the intersection of disability and gender.

-we need...

>stronger protections against forced sterilization and reproductive coercion.

>paid medical leave for disabled people and caregivers.

>recognition of interdependence in disability policy.