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Life histories as counter-narratives against dominant and negative stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- STEFANSDOTTIR Guorun V., TRAUSTADOTTIR Rannveig
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 30(3), 2015, pp.368-380.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The history of intellectual disabilities is largely a story of discrimination and social exclusion portraying people with intellectual disability as abnormal and inferior. This article describes a particular methodological approach to inclusive life history research with a small group of women with intellectual disabilities in Iceland. The article documents how, through a four-year collaborative research process, the life histories became counter-narratives to dominant historical beliefs and stereotypes. In addition to the personal empowerment of the women and the construction of a collective memory, this project has also resulted in public sharing of their stories through speaking up and giving presentations, and thus potentially also changing the historical memory. (Publisher abstract)
'It's my life' autonomy and people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- BJORNSDOTTIR Kristin, STEFANSDOTTIR Guorun V., STEFANSDOTTIR Astriour
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(1), 2015, pp.5-21.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
This article discusses autonomy in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities. The article draws on inclusive research in Iceland with 25 women and 16 men and employs ideas of relational autonomy from the perspectives of the Nordic relational approach to disability. In this article, the authors examine autonomy in relation to private life, that is, homes and daily activities. The article demonstrates how practices have improved with time and seem less paternalistic. However, the article also demonstrates that the assistance people with intellectual disabilities receive in their homes often has institutional qualities, and they are often met with belittling perspectives from staff and family members. Furthermore, many did not have access to important information needed to develop individual autonomy and independence, including making their own choices. The research findings suggest that people with intellectual disabilities can with appropriate support develop individual autonomy and make their own choices. (Edited publisher abstract)