The COVID-19 experience through the lens of disability Twitter: A qualitative analysis.

PURPOSE: The societal response and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced ableism for disabled people who were yet again treated as an afterthought in society. Systemic ableism impacted their well-being, access, and ability to be active members of their community. Disabled experiences and voices must be heard and amplified to improve preparedness and address ableism. Disability Twitter is one avenue where the disability community can collectively listen and support one another. These voices can and should be used to influence policy and practice. This study used Disability Twitter to represent and honor the experiences of the disability community, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a moment in time. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: Qualitative thematic analysis of U.S.-based Twitter posts was conducted using retrospective social media posts. A total of 238 initial tweets from January 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022 were analyzed by the research team. RESULTS: Five themes were observed including ableism, devaluation, worthiness, act of reclaiming, and emotion. Disabled people reported instances of ableism, devaluation, and victimization by individuals, systems, and government entities throughout the pandemic. Disabled individuals utilized Twitter to share their collective experiences, urging society to address and respond to the needs of the disability community. CONCLUSIONS: Using social media to center the perspectives of the disability community can invoke system-wide change and inform policies. Implications for combating systemic ableism and promoting allyship for clinical professionals, research scholars, and educators are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

"We need a world we can operate in": Exploring the relationship between societal stigma and depression among wheelchair users.

BACKGROUND: Stigma looms over the disability community. OBJECTIVE OR HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of how societal stigma impacts depression among wheelchair users. METHODS: Mixed research methods were used on a sample of sixty full-time wheelchair users (M age = 43.78, SD = 15.50) whose disability was either acquired (n = 32) or congenital (n = 28). Data was collected via an anonymous Qualtrics survey. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses were performed. RESULTS: Three major themes were identified from the qualitative analysis, including pity, discomfort, and invisibility which demonstrated that our participants felt frequently stigmatized in public. Several participants noted how assumptions were made about their competence, intellect, ability, and the entire disability experience based on the physical representation of their wheelchair. The quantitative results demonstrated a positive correlation between The Major Depression Index and the Able Privilege Scale-Revised, a scale constructed to examine personal power and privilege in relation to society depending on disability type. CONCLUSIONS: Wheelchair users feel stigmatized by members of society, which is associated with increased levels of depression and perceived pity, discomfort, and invisibility.

A call to action for disability and rehabilitation research using a DisCrit and Disability Justice framework.

PURPOSE: Disability and ableism exist within a societal context that does not ignore the many facets of a person's identity, however often our disability research does not recognize how experiences vary based on the intersecting identities individuals hold. This article utilizes Intersectionality, Dis/ability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), and Disability Justice to identify ways for rehabilitation researchers to adapt their research practices for maximum inclusivity and representation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using these three frameworks, we have developed a call to action including recommendations for rehabilitation researchers to consider as they design and implement research projects. RESULTS: Incorporating these frameworks provides an opportunity to reimagine current research practices. CONCLUSIONS: An accessible approach can help researchers better understand and report on the nuances of intersecting identities on the lives of disabled people.Implications For RehabilitationDisability identity and ableism must be viewed intersectionally, and disability related research must attend to the many facets of a person's identity.Intersectionality, DisCrit, and Disability Justice provide useful frameworks through which we can conduct more inclusive and accessible disability research.We present a call-to-action including seven general considerations that researchers can implement to guide the development of intersectional and inclusive disability research.

Embracing Disability Culture in Schools.

PURPOSE: This viewpoint will expose readers to disability as a social construct shaped by power and oppression, not an individual medical issue defined by diagnosis. As professionals, we are doing a disservice if we continue to silo the disability experience to the limits of service delivery. We must intentionally seek ways to challenge how we think, view, and respond to disability to ensure that our approach is consistent with the current needs of the disability community. CONCLUSIONS: Specific practices related to accessibility and universal design will be highlighted. Strategies to embrace disability culture will be discussed as it is vital to bridge the gap between school and community.