Claiming space: photovoice, identity, inclusion and the work of disability

Abstract

Negative attitudes about and behaviours towards women with disability are harmful and give shape to an identity that is imposed by others. Our research sought to challenge these attitudes and behaviours through self-portraits, narratives and photovoice methodology. Six women with disability participated in our feminist photovoice project on identity, producing data that we interrogated through thematic analysis. Our findings indicate that remarks and actions directed at women with disability can be intrusive, judgmental and exclusionary. They also give shape to an identity defined or imposed by others. However, to (re)define the self and claim space, these six women engaged in the ‘work of disability’ by 1) articulating identity, 2) challenging expectations and disabling attitudes and 3) explaining disability. By countering pervasive and disabling attitudes with photographic self-portraits and accompanying stories, these six women of diverse shapes, sizes, and abilities artfully lead us on a pathway to a more inclusive society.

Points of interest

• In our study, six Australian women with physical disability photographed aspects of themselves, focusing on their strengths and issues affecting them.

• Their photographs inspired group discussions and video interviews, offering thought-provoking ideas of what it is like to be a woman with disability today in Australia.

• The women described their frequent experiences of being stereotyped and excluded through remarks, actions and the environment they negotiate every day.

• Through photographs, words, actions and thoughts they challenged stereotyping and negative attitudes to define who they are and how they want to be viewed.

• Often, they actively worked to educate others about disability to claim their rightful place in our communities.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1925525 .

Keywords:

• Photovoice
• identity
• feminism
• arts-based research
• physical disability
• self-portrait

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Kerry Fountain, Evianne Grosvenor, Melinda Montgomery, Karen Peacock, Marusha Rowe Pride and Malissa Thorpe for their dedication, diligence and guidance throughout this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.