Disability Studies in literature supports the social model of disability that examines how structural features of society limit and disable people, not their physical or mental conditions. This model makes a point that disability stems from the tripping and coping of persons with disabilities in a society that has barriers for them which helps to move the blame from the person with a disability to society. It influences how environments, social perceptions and institutions present barriers in the lives of disabled persons and demands the need for change that allows for easy access.
You can represent disability studies as a field recognize the variety of situations in disabled people’s lives, especially paying attention to the intersectional aspect of them. They describe how disability impacts diverse aspects of a person’s life and how their race, gender, sexuality, and class work to shape or hinder their opportunities. This approach acknowledges the fact that disabled people do not fit into a identical cubicle and you can define their existence by intersecting oppressive structures and Privilege.
Disability Study in Literature
1- Historical Stereotypes/Tropes
Regarding disabled characters, literature for many years has provided stereotypical knowledge that is rather damaging. Historical Stereotypes/Tropes include the portrayal of disabled persons either as evil like Captain Hook in Peter Pan, or as pitiful like Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. These literary clichés result in prejudices in society and exclusion of disabled people.
2- Disabled Authors and Authentic Voices
Another crucial component of Disability Study In Literature are the authentic authors. These authors write from firsthand experience of disability, which adds realism to their accounts of the disabled individuals’ lives. Works like Anne Finger’s “Elegy for a Disease: While Mary Johnson’s “A Personal and Cultural History of Polio” and Kenny Fries’ “The History of My Shoes and the Evolution of Darwin’s Theory”, it is possible to reveal two highly personal and diverse narratives that have changed the reader’s perception toward the disabled population. Disabled authors help to expand the literary world through their narratives of life with a disability.
3- New Positive Images Start to Appear
Today’s authors are presenting disability more progressively and positively, deviating from the stereotypical roles that were established earlier. Contemporary writers are now also laying the Disability Studies representation in the grey area. Disabled people are depicted as people, with their new skills/weaknesses and a process of transformation. Mark Haddon’s novel “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” precisely tells the story of Christopher Boone. He is a young person with Asperger’s syndrome. It offers the readers an understanding of his manner of thinking and perceiving the world. Another fable tale with a deep meaning of kindness and acceptance is R. J. Palacio’s ‘Wonder’ where the protagonist August in Pullman narrates his experiences of the world, professionally termed as a disfigured boy.
4- The Nature of Disabled Authors and Concepts of Authentic Voice
It is therefore important to have writings by disabled writers to redone the script of disability. These authors contribute the practical view in their writing, which gives the firsthand experience of disability. Works like Anne Finger’s “Elegy for a Disease: “A Personal and Cultural History of Polio” and Kenny Fries’ “The History of My Shoes and the Evolution of Darwin’s Theory” give the viewers the personal and culturally diverse perspective which overcomes the cliché of ableness. The disabled authors use their narratives to the benefit of the diversity of the works in the literary field.
5- Ableist Discrimination
The Disability Studies In Literature of the contemporary world are striving more to represent disabled people. These narratives focus on disabled characters as self-motivating, overcoming, and resourceful. Thus against the idea that disability is a deficit to be defeated or felt sympathy for. For example, Telegonus in Madeline Miller’s ‘Circe’, is a character with a disability. But they have shown not as a disabled man or a victim, but a hero with his own abilities. This implies removing barriers that limit the human behavior and promoting equal treatment of the disabled persons by painting better pictures that make society to accept the disabled persons.
Conclusion
Disability Studies In Literature means to go hand in hand in changing the perception of disability in society. While disability is a subject discussed in Disability Studies,it is informed by social models. These social models incorporate oppression and exclusion of disabled persons. Literature enables disabled individuals to potray themselves and brought to life. The change from historical stereotype projections to the real and more complex portrayals across Disability Study In Literature is crucial. The protagonists of color is an essential effort in societies when considering aspects like empathy, understanding prejudice toward particular groups. Both fields enhance the quality of society, ensure the acknowledgement and subsequent appreciation of the disabled population.
