Materiality of Disability: Etymology/Term, Meanings, and Concept
Etymology/Term:
The term “materiality of disability” has its roots in the Latin word “dis-” (apart, away) and “abilitas” (ability). The term emerged in the mid-18th century, initially referring to a lack of ability or power. Over time, it has evolved to encompass a range of physical, cognitive, sensory, and social impairments that may hinder a person’s full and equal participation in society.
Meanings:
- Physical Disability: Refers to impairments affecting mobility, coordination, or physical functioning.
- Cognitive Disability: Involves challenges related to intellectual functioning, memory, and problem-solving.
- Sensory Disability: Encompasses impairments in vision, hearing, or other sensory capacities.
- Social Disability: Pertains to barriers individuals face in social interactions, acceptance, and inclusion due to societal attitudes and structures.
Concept:
Materiality of disability emphasizes the tangible impact and significance of disabilities in various aspects of life. It underscores how disabilities are not merely medical conditions but are deeply intertwined with social, cultural, and environmental factors. The concept recognizes that disability is not solely a personal attribute but is shaped by societal structures, policies, and attitudes. Understanding the materiality of disability involves acknowledging the real-world implications and challenges individuals with disabilities face in accessing education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. It encourages a shift from a purely medical model to a more inclusive and rights-based approach, promoting equal opportunities and dismantling barriers for people with disabilities.
Materiality of Disability: Definition of a Theoretical Term
The materiality of disability is a theoretical term that encapsulates the tangible and concrete impact of disabilities on individuals’ lives, extending beyond mere abstract concepts. It emphasizes the real-world implications of disabilities, highlighting their significance in various aspects of daily existence. This theoretical framework recognizes disabilities as not only individual conditions but as phenomena deeply influenced by societal structures, cultural norms, and environmental factors.
Materiality of Disability: Theorists, Works, and Arguments
Theorists:
- Michel Foucault: Examined the societal construction of normalcy and the ways in which institutions shape perceptions of disability.
- Rosemarie Garland-Thomson: Explored the intersectionality of disability with other identity categories and the role of societal expectations in framing disability.
- Lennard J. Davis: Contributed to the understanding of disability as a social construct, emphasizing its impact on various facets of life.
Works:
- “Madness and Civilization” by Michel Foucault: Analyzes historical perceptions of mental illness, shedding light on societal attitudes toward deviations from the norm.
- “Extraordinary Bodies” by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson: Explores the cultural representation of disability and challenges conventional notions of bodily normalcy.
- “Enforcing Normalcy” by Lennard J. Davis: Discusses the social construction of disability and the ways in which societal norms influence perceptions of bodily differences.
Arguments:
- Social Construction of Disability: Theorists argue that disability is socially constructed, shaped by cultural, historical, and institutional factors rather than being an inherent individual trait.
- Intersectionality: The materiality of disability is often discussed in conjunction with other identity categories, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression and marginalization.
- Power Dynamics: Theorists examine power relations in the construction of disability, highlighting how societal norms and institutions exert influence on the experiences of individuals with disabilities.
Materiality of Disability: Major Characteristics
| Characteristics | References from Literary Works |
| Societal Construction of Disability | – Extraordinary Bodies by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson explores cultural representations of disability, highlighting its societal construction. |
| Intersectionality of Disability | – The concept is explored in The Disability Studies Reader edited by Lennard J. Davis, emphasizing how disability intersects with other identity categories. |
| Power Dynamics in Shaping Disability | – Michel Foucault’s Madness and Civilization delves into power dynamics in defining normalcy and influencing societal perceptions of mental health. |
| Real-world Impact and Implications | – Lennard J. Davis’s Enforcing Normalcy discusses how societal norms affect the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life. |
Materiality of Disability: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Literary Theory | Relevance to Materiality of Disability |
| Feminist Literary Theory | – Examines how gender norms intersect with disability, contributing to the understanding of the materiality of disability in diverse contexts. |
| Postcolonial Literary Theory | – Explores how colonial histories influence perceptions of disability, shedding light on the intersectionality and global aspects of the materiality of disability. |
| Queer Literary Theory | – Investigates how societal expectations related to gender and sexuality intersect with disability, providing insights into the complex narratives of individuals. |
| Disability Studies in Literature | – Directly engages with the materiality of disability, analyzing how literary works portray and shape societal perceptions of disability, contributing to disability studies. |
| Critical Race Theory | – Examines the intersection of race and disability, addressing how racialized experiences influence the materiality of disability in literature and society. |
This table outlines the relevance of the materiality of disability in various literary theories, providing a brief overview of how each theory contributes to the understanding of disability within literature.
Materiality of Disability: Application in Critiques
| Literary Work | Application of Materiality of Disability Critique |
| The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon | – Examining the protagonist’s neurodivergence within the materiality of disability framework, addressing how societal perceptions of neurodiversity impact the character’s experiences. |
| Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes | – Analyzing the transformation of the main character’s intellectual abilities through the lens of materiality of disability, exploring societal attitudes towards cognitive differences and their real-world implications. |
| The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo | – Applying the materiality of disability critique to the portrayal of Quasimodo, examining the societal construction of physical disability and its impact on the character’s identity and social interactions. |
| The Color Purple by Alice Walker | – Engaging with the materiality of disability to explore the intersectionality of race and disability in the characters’ lives, addressing how societal norms contribute to the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in diverse communities. |
Materiality of Disability: Relevant Terms
| Theoretical Term | Brief Description |
| Embodiment | – Focuses on the lived experience of the body and its intersection with disability. |
| Corporeality | – Explores the material presence of the body, influencing identity. |
| Somatics | – Investigates the body’s role in perception, movement, and disability. |
| Material Culture | – Examines physical objects’ impact on societal attitudes towards disability. |
| Phenomenology of the Body | – Explores the conscious experience of the body in the context of disability. |
| Ableism | – Addresses discrimination against individuals with disabilities. |
| Disability Studies | – Interdisciplinary field examining disability as a social and cultural phenomenon. |
| Bioethics | – Examines ethical issues related to medical advancements and disabilities. |
| Posthumanism | – Explores the blending of humans and technology, impacting disability concepts. |
| Neurodiversity | – Advocates for recognizing and accepting neurological differences in disability. |
Materiality of Disability: Suggested Readings
- Garland-Thomson, Rosemarie. Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature. Columbia University Press, 1997.
- Foucault, Michel. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason. Vintage Books, 1988.
- Davis, Lennard J. Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body. Verso, 1995.
- Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Vintage Contemporaries, 2004.
- Hugo, Victor. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Oxford University Press, 2009.
- Keyes, Daniel. Flowers for Algernon. Harcourt, 2004.
- Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Mariner Books, 2003.
