The mouth and dis/ability

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Disability Studies
• Critical Theory

Background:

• Critical disability studies examines the social construction of disability and its impact on the body and society.
• Dis/ability studies integrates analysis of disablism (exclusion of impairments) and ableism (valuation based on autonomy/capability).

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand how the mouth signifies de/valued human beings in national and global contexts, focusing on disability.
• To analyze the mouth using critical dis/ability studies.
• To explore the mouth as a site of resistance for disabled people.

Main Methods:

• Literature review introducing critical disability studies and dis/ability studies.
• Analysis of the mouth in relation to pathologization, human enhancement, and resistance.
• Discourse analysis of societal perceptions and representations of the mouth concerning disability.

Main Results:

• The mouth serves as a site where societal valuations of individuals, particularly those with disabilities, are revealed.
• Dis/ability studies framework illuminates the interplay of disablism and ableism in shaping perceptions of the mouth.
• The mouth presents possibilities for resistance against ableist and disabling societal norms.

Conclusions:

• A dis/ability studies approach offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between the mouth, society, and disability.
• Understanding the mouth's role in societal discourse is crucial for challenging ableism and promoting disability inclusion.
• Further research can explore practical applications of dis/ability studies in understanding embodied experiences of disability.