Qualitative inquiry of sibling relationships: reinforcement of disability devaluation through the exclusion of voices

Abstract

People with disabilities share a history and culture of marginalization and oppression. In disability studies, disability has been re-defined as an inability or limitation in performance of the roles and tasks expected of individuals within society which excludes people from becoming full participants in social, cultural, and political affairs. Disability research has traditionally been ‘on’ rather than ‘with’ people with disabilities. This article examines how qualitative sibling disability research has been conducted, with a particular focus on the exclusion of people with disabilities.

Keywords:

• Qualitative research
• sibling relationships
• intellectual disability
• developmental disability
• disability studies