Life histories as counter-narratives against dominant and negative stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities |
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Authors: | Guðrún V Stefánsdóttir Rannveig Traustadóttir |
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Institution: | 1. School of Education, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland;2. Centre for Disability Studies, Faculty of Social Science, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | women with intellectual disabilities life histories counter-narratives inclusive research |
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