Unveiling the Disability A Study of Social Discrimination in Contemporary American Memoires

Abstract

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.

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