Tag Archives: Braidotti

The rise of the Maker Movement and open source prosthetics: An example of Braidotti’s critical posthuman subject (paper with Richard Sewell, 2014)

Reeve, D. and Sewell, R. (2014) ‘The rise of the Maker Movement and open source prosthetics: An example of Braidotti’s critical posthuman subject’, paper presented at Theorizing Normalcy and the Mundane, 5th International Conference, Sheffield University, 7-8 July.

Abstract

Theorists such as Braidotti and Haraway have written about the emergence of the posthuman during the late 20th century, highlighting the increasing significance of intimate relationships between people and the non-human. Many disabled people have this relationship with technology and animals – assistance dogs, implants and prosthetics to name a few – but these theorists rarely engage with the experiences of this group of people who could be considered to be already posthuman.

Goodley, Lawthom and Runswick Cole (forthcoming) argue that ‘disability captures the productive possibilities of the posthuman condition … [and] brings something critical, politicised and rich to posthuman theory’. This exploratory paper seeks to provide another concrete example of the ‘critical posthuman subject’ (Braidotti, 2013) by looking at the way in which the rise of the Maker Movement and new forms of digital collaboration have enabled people to design and manufacture prosthetic limbs and assistive technology that meet the needs of disabled people in new ways. The rise of this ‘citizen designer’ (Hamidi et al 2014) provides a direct challenge to the conventional production of these assistive products and is made possible because of global flows of information, technology and materials.

ReeveSlidesNormalcy2014_2

From geek to theory chick: Developing understanding(s) of psycho-emotional disablism (keynote, 2011)

Reeve, D. (2011) ‘From geek to theory chick: Developing understanding(s) of psycho-emotional disablism’, paper presented at Postgraduate disability research: A critical space to engage, Warwick University, 13 July (keynote).

Abstract

In this paper I reflect on the intellectual journey taken during the time I
studied for my PhD – complete with missed turnings and numerous
mechanical breakdowns. I then discuss the impact that several different
theorists have had on the way in which I have explored the concept of psychoemotional
disablism, showing the rich insights which interdisciplinary thinking
can bring. Finally I end by identifying some of the questions which face those
of us in critical disability studies if our work is to remain relevant to the
everyday lives of disabled people.

The red wedding dress and other stories: Intersections of psycho-emotional disablism, impairment effects and gender (paper, 2008)

Reeve, D. (2008) ‘The red wedding dress and other stories: Intersections of psycho-emotional disablism, impairment effects and gender’, paper presented at Subjectivity: International Conference, Cardiff University, 27-29 June.

Abstract

This paper draws on my PhD which explores the nature of psycho-emotional disablism – a form of social oppression which operates along emotional pathways – and the ways in which this affects the different ways that people with impairments identify (or not) as disabled.

I will discuss the experience of internalised oppression and prejudiced attitudes – examples of psycho-emotional disablism – and show the impact this had on one disabled woman’s subjectivity, as well as her emotional well-being. Although at times the reactions of others left her feeling vulnerable and exposed, she also gave examples of where she had created her own alternate subjectivities. These stories also revealed how psycho-emotional disablism was intertwined with impairment effects, structural disablism (e.g. environmental barriers) and other factors such as gender and age.

Finally I will briefly discuss these stories in the light of Braidotti’s concept of a ‘nomadic’ subject (1994, 2002) suggesting that this could provide a useful metaphor for examining the myriad ways in which people with impairments see themselves as ‘disabled’ or not, and how this is highly context dependent.

‘Am I a real disabled person or someone with a dodgy arm? (paper, 2006)

Reeve, D. (2006) ‘‘Am I a real disabled person or someone with a dodgy arm?’: A discussion of psycho-emotional disablism and its contribution to identity constructions’, paper presented at Disability Studies: Research and Learning, Lancaster University, 18-20 September.

Abstract

One of the most important contributions to self-identity arises from social interaction with others – how we see ourselves is affected by how others perceive and react to us. Therefore the ways in which people with impairments see themselves as disabled or not (whatever that may mean), is affected by interactions with other people, both disabled and non-disabled. The psycho-emotional dimensions of disability – a form of social oppression which operates along emotional pathways – are most evident within interpersonal interactions and so make an important contribution to the self-identity of disabled people.

Drawing on an analysis of the experiential accounts of people with physical impairments talking about their disability experiences, this paper will explore the different ways in which the experience of psycho-emotional disablism affects self-identity as ‘disabled’ or not. Interview data was collected using the free-association narrative interview method in which fractures that occur within the narrative – inconsistencies, contradictions, irrationality – are taken to be as illuminating as linear narratives.

I will discuss the experience of internalised oppression and prejudiced attitudes – examples of psycho-emotional disablism – and show the impact this had on a participant’s self-identity, as well as their emotional well-being. Particular problems arise when self-identity conflicts with how others perceive that person and I will illustrate the ontological stress that this causes together with the strategies people devised to deal with it.

Whilst disablism within relationships between disabled and non-disabled people has been well-documented, I will highlight the significance of disablism caused by the attitudes and behaviours of disabled people towards each other. This will be illustrated through a discussion of perceived hierarchies of impairment and the undermining effect that these can have on how one self-defines as disabled or not.

This discussion of the interactions between self-identity and the psycho-emotional dimensions of disability will also reveal the complex nature of this form of social oppression and the manner in which it is intertwined with elements of structural disability, impairment effects and psycho-emotional dimensions of impairment, as well as other facets of social identity such as gender and age.

It will become clear that a consideration of the psycho-emotional dimensions of disability need to be included in any discussions about the ‘disabled identity’ if a more complete understanding of the disability experience is to be achieved.

To this end I will draw on the work of the post-structuralist feminist Braidotti to show how her concept of a ‘nomadic’ subject (1994, 2002) provides a useful metaphor for examining the myriad ways in which people with impairments see themselves as ‘disabled’ or not, and how this is highly context dependent.