A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Mundane powered wheelchair journeys and embodied rural disability geographies of (not) belonging
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1123-1288
Abstract This article addresses the gap in the literature on disabled people's experiences of everyday journeys by powered wheelchairs in rural contexts. As a contribution to a rural disability geography, this paper embraces the feminist notion of ‘embodied belongings’ to interpret the relationships between ideas, things, mobility, and advocacy. The paper draws on qualitative data collected through mobility life narratives from 15 disabled people who roll powered mobility devices in rural New South Wales. In a context where each rural municipal authority requires a disability inclusion plan, we argue that everyday powered wheelchair journeys produced contradictory feelings around belonging. We argue that feelings of belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys in rural contexts are often predicated on notions of disability shame that reinforce normative identities and ideologies aligned with conventional discourses of independence that privilege solitary encounters. At the same time, most participants actively chose to become disability advocates from fleeting feelings of not belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys that included disability parking, accessible footpaths, Wheelchair Accessible Taxis as well as accommodations and modifications around steps.
Highlights Considers embodied belonging of disabled people rolling powered wheelchairs. Embodied belonging is conceived as emplaced and relational. Rolling powered wheelchairs reveals a longing to belong in rural places. Ableism operates to configure rural belonging in a context of inclusion plans. Experience of not belonging often mobilises political advocacy.
Mundane powered wheelchair journeys and embodied rural disability geographies of (not) belonging
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1123-1288
Abstract This article addresses the gap in the literature on disabled people's experiences of everyday journeys by powered wheelchairs in rural contexts. As a contribution to a rural disability geography, this paper embraces the feminist notion of ‘embodied belongings’ to interpret the relationships between ideas, things, mobility, and advocacy. The paper draws on qualitative data collected through mobility life narratives from 15 disabled people who roll powered mobility devices in rural New South Wales. In a context where each rural municipal authority requires a disability inclusion plan, we argue that everyday powered wheelchair journeys produced contradictory feelings around belonging. We argue that feelings of belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys in rural contexts are often predicated on notions of disability shame that reinforce normative identities and ideologies aligned with conventional discourses of independence that privilege solitary encounters. At the same time, most participants actively chose to become disability advocates from fleeting feelings of not belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys that included disability parking, accessible footpaths, Wheelchair Accessible Taxis as well as accommodations and modifications around steps.
Highlights Considers embodied belonging of disabled people rolling powered wheelchairs. Embodied belonging is conceived as emplaced and relational. Rolling powered wheelchairs reveals a longing to belong in rural places. Ableism operates to configure rural belonging in a context of inclusion plans. Experience of not belonging often mobilises political advocacy.
Mundane powered wheelchair journeys and embodied rural disability geographies of (not) belonging
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1123-1288
Abstract This article addresses the gap in the literature on disabled people's experiences of everyday journeys by powered wheelchairs in rural contexts. As a contribution to a rural disability geography, this paper embraces the feminist notion of ‘embodied belongings’ to interpret the relationships between ideas, things, mobility, and advocacy. The paper draws on qualitative data collected through mobility life narratives from 15 disabled people who roll powered mobility devices in rural New South Wales. In a context where each rural municipal authority requires a disability inclusion plan, we argue that everyday powered wheelchair journeys produced contradictory feelings around belonging. We argue that feelings of belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys in rural contexts are often predicated on notions of disability shame that reinforce normative identities and ideologies aligned with conventional discourses of independence that privilege solitary encounters. At the same time, most participants actively chose to become disability advocates from fleeting feelings of not belonging produced by powered wheelchair journeys that included disability parking, accessible footpaths, Wheelchair Accessible Taxis as well as accommodations and modifications around steps.
Highlights Considers embodied belonging of disabled people rolling powered wheelchairs. Embodied belonging is conceived as emplaced and relational. Rolling powered wheelchairs reveals a longing to belong in rural places. Ableism operates to configure rural belonging in a context of inclusion plans. Experience of not belonging often mobilises political advocacy.
Mundane powered wheelchair journeys and embodied rural disability geographies of (not) belonging
Gordon, Waitt (author) / Harada, Theresa (author)
Journal of Rural Studies ; 103
2023-08-24
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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