Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The manner in which we communicate may be considered a noticeable difference:
for instance, where an individual's speech is impaired or he or she uses symbol boards
or books of pictures, sign language, or other human aids to communication, such as lip
speakers or sign language interpreters. There is an assumption that speech impairment
equates with lower intellectual capacity, and this results in social interactions where
people adopt a patronizing tone similar to one used by adults when they are engaging
with children (Knight and Brent 1998). Annie spoke of being conscious about the links
that society makes between physical appearance, mode of communication, and intellec-
tual capacity:
I think people see my impairment and they make assumptions about what I can
and cannot do, and I think that, with a speech impairment, quite a lot of them
probably see me as being stupid or mentally retarded [sic] in some way. (Annie
26-31 years)
Annienotedthatpeopleoftenspoketoherinapatronizingorcondescendingmanner,
negatingherstatusasanadult,andatthesametimepotentiallynegatingherpossibilities
for developing relationships and sexual partnerships. Sara also spoke of societal as-
sumptions that erroneously equate physical appearance with intellectual capacity:
“people assuming that, [because] I walk differently than they do, that I also think differ-
ently than they do” (Sara 41-46 years).
Laura spoke of concealing her visual impairment as a means of protecting herself
from societal responses to impairment, especially disablist attitudes. “Passing” as
nondisabled facilitates social acceptance and inclusion in everyday life (Bruegemann
2001).Theenergy,time,andeffortinvolvedinpassingisimmense,however,andisusu-
ally expended at great personal cost to the individual (Hansen 2002). Passing may be
regarded as “an act of repression” (Michalko 2002, 10) where individuals deliberately
conceal partoftheiridentity.ToreturntoLaura,sherevealed that:“fromthatdayonfor
several, well for the next fifteen years, I kind of denied that I had a visual impairment
and actually put myself under a tremendous amount of strain to do it” (Laura 46-51
years).
Frenchwroteofherchildhooddenialofhervisualimpairmentasameansofself-pro-
tection from negative responses to her impairment, and as a means of gaining societal
acceptance and approval primarily from her family: “By denying the reality of my dis-
ability I protected myself from the anxiety, disapproval, frustration and disappointment
oftheadultsinmylife”(French1993,70).Thomasalsospokeofconcealingherimpair-
ment in response to social messages regarding “noticeable difference”:
