Crip, Queer, and Proud: A qualitative study on disability pride and its impact on disability support

Part of the School of Law PhD Seminar Series

Danielle Watson (Human Rights and Disability Law)

Abstract

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promotes supported-judgment decision-making, and advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities on an equal basis as others. It seeks respect for the inherent dignity, individual autonomy, full participation in society, and acceptance of persons with disabilities, so that they may live their lives with the same access to human rights as those who do not have a disability. This has been agreed upon in the academic sphere in theory, but there is little discussion on what support looks like in practice. Persons with disabilities need support, as they are disenfranchised in society by being seen as separate from the norm. Society is created with 'ablebodiedness' in the forefront of design, therefore creating physical, mental, and social barriers for persons with disabilities.

This research shall analyse the dichotomy between theory and practice for the human rights of persons with disabilities in the United Kingdom. It shall use both doctrinal analysis and empirical research. The former shall be an analysis of the CRPD, the reports by the Committee for the CRPD, and the responses by the UK Government, through policy and legislation. The latter shall take the form of semi-structured interviews to discuss support with persons who identify as having 'Disability Pride'. This group has been chosen as they best fit the 'gold standard' promoted by the CRPD, as people who feel undiminished or unrestricted by their disability or the restrictions placed by society upon them. Using queer commentary and intersectional studies, it shall deconstruct labels and understand the compounding of discrimination faced by those with disabilities, and propose practical means to interpreting the currently theoretical notion of 'support'.