Strengthening disability identity through social networks

2012

Katharine Hayward
[email protected]
408-294-6171

Disability scholars argue that the creating of a disability is needed to continue the work of the disability rights movement. This study aims to describe ways to measure disability identity and what factors contribute to a positive disability identity. College students with disabilities completed questionnaires that included items on disability identity, contact with others with disabilities, social support and disability characteristics. A five item scale measuring disability emerged as a result of this study which included items about pride, sense of community, and disclosure. Findings from this study also indicate that disability identity is related to gender, frequency of contact with others with disabilities, the number of people on knows with a disability, and the number of close friends one has. This study has several implications for the need to build connections among individuals with disabilities to develop a positive personal disability identity.

Social networking, Disability indentity, Individuals with disabilities

Conference presentations and posters presented

Professionals

[email protected]

N/A