The psychology of disability.

Racial and Disability Identity

“…However, disability identity is not the same as acceptance of disability (Mpofu, 1999;Mpofu & Houston, 1998;Mpofu & Thomas, 2004). For example, on the one hand, a person who self-defines as having a disability (e.g., "I have a disability") may identify with that status ("My disability is a part of who I am, and a positive experience") and value it ("I am a better person living with a disability than I ever was before"; Hahn & Belt, 2004;McCarthy, 2003;Noonan et al, 2004;Vash & Crewe, 2004). On the other hand, a person could be accepting of his or her disability and not consider that difference enabling or ennobling (e.g., "I have a disability, and wish I did not have that difference"; Batavia, 2003;Mpofu & Houston, 1998).…”

“…Nonetheless, a person who is accepting of his or her disability is likely to have a higher disability identity, partly from the greater chance that he or she will live positively with a disability (Hahn & Belt, 2004;Livneh & Antonak, 2005;Orbell, Johnston, Rowley, Davey, & Espley, 2001;Vash & Crewe, 2004;Wright, 1983). A person with a healthy disability identity would consider his or her disability-related difference a resource for development and growth in self and others (Albrecht & Devlieger, 1999;Menzel, Dolan, Richardson, & Oslen, 2002;Noonan et al, 2004;Vash & Crewe, 2004).…”

“…A person with a healthy disability identity would consider his or her disability-related difference a resource for development and growth in self and others (Albrecht & Devlieger, 1999;Menzel, Dolan, Richardson, & Oslen, 2002;Noonan et al, 2004;Vash & Crewe, 2004). He or she would also be realistically aware of the contextual barriers to his or her career participation from society and be actively engaged in challenging those barriers.…”

“…For example, people with disabilities with a healthy disability identity may engage in problem solving to counteract stereotypes about their inability to achieve career choices that are not limited by their specific disability (Mpofu & Houston, 1998;Vash & Crewe, 2004;Wright, 1983). Ableism, the perception that certain activities are not possible for people with disabilities, or with certain disabilities, is a major threat to the career development of people with disabilities.…”

“…People with disabilities with a healthy disability identity could be better able to identify with the career development process in others and thereby compensate for the exclusion they experience from normative career counseling experiences. A healthy disability identity can serve self-enhancement functions, such as when an individual with a disability overcomes ableism through internally reaffirming desired goals and personal worth (Albrecht & Devlieger, 1999;Noonan et al, 2004;Vash & Crewe, 2004). It would facilitate development of the resilience in the self needed for dealing with wider systemic and institutional barriers to career attainment.…”