Disability and ecocriticism

Disability Studies: The interdisciplinary field of study that examines disability as a social, cultural, and political phenomenon, aiming to promote the full integration and participation of people with disabilities in society.

Ecocriticism: An approach to literary and cultural studies that scrutinizes the representation of nature, the environment, and the relationship between humans and nature in literary and cultural texts.

Environmental justice: The fair and equal distribution of environmental resources, benefits, and harms across different social groups, including people with disabilities who are often disproportionately impacted by environmental risks and hazards.

Disability advocacy and activism: The diverse forms of social and political action taken by people with disabilities and their allies to promote disability rights, inclusion, and empowerment.

Ableism: Discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities, which can manifest in various forms, including institutional, structural, linguistic, and attitudinal.

Environmental ethics: The philosophical and practical considerations of what constitutes a good or appropriate relationship to the natural world and how humans should address environmental challenges, including the implications for people with disabilities.

Representation of disability in literature and culture: The portrayal of disability in literary texts, movies, and popular culture, including the challenges and opportunities for inclusive and empowering representations of disability in literary and cultural works.

Intersectionality: The study of how multiple dimensions of identities and forms of oppression, such as disability, race, gender, sexuality, class, and nationality, intersect and interact in shaping social realities and experiences.

Disability and the built environment: The relationship between disability and the physical and social design of built environments such as buildings, cities, and transportation systems, and the impact on mobility, accessibility, and inclusion.

Environmental humanities: The interdisciplinary field of study that explores the relationships between humans and the natural world from a range of perspectives, including literature, history, philosophy, anthropology, and cultural studies, and the implications for disability inclusion and social justice.

Physical disabilities: These are impairments that affect a person's mobility, such as amputation, paralysis, and spina bifida.

Sensory disabilities: These are impairments that affect a person's senses, such as vision, hearing, and touch. Examples include blindness, deafness, and tactile defensiveness.

Cognitive disabilities: These are impairments that affect a person's mental processes, such as attention, memory, and learning. Examples include autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Mental health disabilities: These are impairments that affect a person's emotional and mental well-being, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

Developmental disabilities: These are impairments that affect a person's physical and mental development, such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Environmental justice: This approach to ecocriticism focuses on the intersection of environmental issues with social justice, including race, gender, and class disparities.

Postmodern ecocriticism: This approach explores the ways in which literature challenges and redefines traditional concepts of nature, identity, and power.

Animal studies: This approach focuses on literature that explores the relationship between humans and animals, including animal rights and ethical treatment.

Place-based ecocriticism: This approach examines the ways in which literature reflects and influences our connections to specific places, such as bioregions, watersheds, and ecosystems.

Ecofeminism: This approach explores the intersection of environmental and feminist issues, including the relationship between gender, power, and ecology.