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Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians

Mendy, Marion G.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1588944826640134

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Communication Studies (Communication).
This qualitative study highlights rich and compelling insights into how individuals living with disability identities are treated negatively as a result of their physical differences. To understand what it means to be disabled in The Gambia, this study obtained different viewpoints of how individuals make sense of their disability identities by examining the perceptions of individuals living with disabilities, the family members of persons with disabilities, and employees of a disability NGO known as The Gambia Organization of the Visually Impaired (GOVI). The results of the study suggest that people with disabilities in The Gambia can be differentiated into three main categories. These include (1) individuals who rely on the community’s goodwill for sustenance, and as a result of their dependency, feel profoundly devalued by society; (2) Folks with disabilities who are employed, self-reliant, and economically independent and therefore have the choice to defy and/or dispute the social structures that limit and discriminate against them; and (3) individuals who are assertive, embrace their disabilities, and portray themselves as resilient as a result of the positive support obtained from family members and people close to them.
John W. Smith, Dr. (Advisor)
177 p.
Communication
disability; communications; constructing Identities; societal norms; disability NGOs; lived experiences

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mendy, M. G. (2020). Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1588944826640134

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mendy, Marion. Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians . 2020. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1588944826640134.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mendy, Marion. "Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1588944826640134

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1588944826640134
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© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12