It investigates the intersections between disability and race and examines how disability is represented in literary texts by writers of color.
Ableism: This is the discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities, and it is an essential topic when studying Disability and critical race studies. Understanding how ableism operates and perpetuates itself is crucial when advocating for those who are disabled.
Intersectionality: This term refers to the ways in which different social identities -- such as race, gender, and disability -- intersect to create unique experiences of oppression and privilege. Understanding intersectionality is essential to understand how disability and race intersect in literary representation.
The Medical Model versus The Social Model: The medical model sees disability as a medical problem to be solved with medicine and therapies, whereas the social model sees disability as a societal issue caused by inaccessible spaces, lack of accommodations etc. This topic is critical to understand when discussing the challenges disabled people face in society.
Disability Justice: This topic focuses on creating a more equitable society for people with disabilities by addressing issues such as institutionalization, police violence, and economic marginalization.
The Disability Rights Movement: This movement strives for equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities. The disability rights movement has been instrumental in creating legislation and policies that protect the rights of disabled individuals.
The Social Construction of Disability: This theory posits that disability is not an inherent characteristic of a person; rather, it is a product of social, economic, and political factors that make it difficult for people with disabilities to access resources.
Ableist Language: Ableist language is language that discriminates against people with disabilities. It is essential to understand what ableist language is and how to avoid it.
Accessibility: Accessibility refers to the degree to which individuals with disabilities can access spaces, services, and resources. This topic is critical in understanding the barriers that disabled people face in society.
Representations of Disability: The portrayal of characters with disabilities in literature, media, and other forms of entertainment is critical to understanding the ways in which disability is normalized or stigmatized.
Disability and Literature: The representation of disability in literature is a vital aspect of literary disability studies. This topic focuses on how disability is represented in literature and how these representations affect societal perceptions and attitudes towards disability.