The Meanings Disabled Activists Ascribe to Activism and Their Experiences in the Process of Struggling for the Rights of People with Disabilities

Begüm Ardahanlıoğlu; Esra Burcu

Article Details

The Meanings Disabled Activists Ascribe to Activism and Their Experiences in the Process of Struggling for the Rights of People with Disabilities

Authors:

Begüm Ardahanlıoğlu | Esra Burcu

Publisher:

Hacettepe University

Main Topics:

Sosyoloji

Journal:

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 2, pp.369-389

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001291189

pISSN:

1301-5737

Keywords:

Abstract:

 In this study, it was aimed to understand how the activists define disability and disability activism, the objectives and processes of being an activist, their activist activities, the institutional and social problems they encounter in these activities, and their evaluations of the role of the pandemic period in activist activities. The aim of the study was shaped from the perspective of the sociology of disability and the gathered qualitative data was based theoretically by taking support from the social model of disability and the human rights model. By using the qualitative method, online in-depth interview technique was used and the data were analyzed in the MAXQDA program. In the study, the activists adopt the idea that the individuals own preference should be considered regarding the definition of disability. Activists have defined disability activism as those who provide rights-based campaigns and make changes to solve problems and make solutions functional. The main purpose of being an activist is to demand change and to take action to create regulations in favor of people with disabilities. Although there are various methods adopted by the activists for this purpose, they are faced with various social, cultural, economic and political problems both in carrying out their actions and in operating their methods. Activists described the problems faced by people with disabilities on the basis of discrimination and exclusion. Activists have thoughts that the pandemic period has created some new processes, both positive and negative, for disability activism. The findings provided some non-generalizing clues in understanding and interpreting the experiences, thoughts, issues, and areas where change needs to be created by the activists with disabilities in Turkey.

 In this study, it was aimed to understand how the activists define disability and disability activism, the objectives and processes of being an activist, their activist activities, the institutional and social problems they encounter in these activities, and their evaluations of the role of the pandemic period in activist activities. The aim of the study was shaped from the perspective of the sociology of disability and the gathered qualitative data was based theoretically by taking support from the social model of disability and the human rights model. By using the qualitative method, online in-depth interview technique was used and the data were analyzed in the MAXQDA program. In the study, the activists adopt the idea that the individuals own preference should be considered regarding the definition of disability. Activists have defined disability activism as those who provide rights-based campaigns and make changes to solve problems and make solutions functional. The main purpose of being an activist is to demand change and to take action to create regulations in favor of people with disabilities. Although there are various methods adopted by the activists for this purpose, they are faced with various social, cultural, economic and political problems both in carrying out their actions and in operating their methods. Activists described the problems faced by people with disabilities on the basis of discrimination and exclusion. Activists have thoughts that the pandemic period has created some new processes, both positive and negative, for disability activism. The findings provided some non-generalizing clues in understanding and interpreting the experiences, thoughts, issues, and areas where change needs to be created by the activists with disabilities in Turkey.

 In this study, it was aimed to understand how the activists define disability and disability activism, the objectives and processes of being an activist, their activist activities, the institutional and social problems they encounter in these activities, and their evaluations of the role of the pandemic period in activist activities. The aim of the study was shaped from the perspective of the sociology of disability and the gathered qualitative data was based theoretically by taking support from the social model of disability and the human rights model. By using the qualitative method, online in-depth interview technique was used and the data were analyzed in the MAXQDA program. In the study, the activists adopt the idea that the individuals own preference should be considered regarding the definition of disability. Activists have defined disability activism as those who provide rights-based campaigns and make changes to solve problems and make solutions functional. The main purpose of being an activist is to demand change and to take action to create regulations in favor of people with disabilities. Although there are various methods adopted by the activists for this purpose, they are faced with various social, cultural, economic and political problems both in carrying out their actions and in operating their methods. Activists described the problems faced by people with disabilities on the basis of discrimination and exclusion. Activists have thoughts that the pandemic period has created some new processes, both positive and negative, for disability activism. The findings provided some non-generalizing clues in understanding and interpreting the experiences, thoughts, issues, and areas where change needs to be created by the activists with disabilities in Turkey.

 Çalışmada aktivistlerin engelliliği ve engellilik aktivizmini nasıl tanımladıkları, aktivist olma amaçları ve süreçleri, aktivist faaliyetleri, bu faaliyetlerde karşılaştıkları kurumsal ve sosyal sorunların neler olduğu ve aktivist faaliyetlerde pandemi döneminin rolüne ilişkin değerlendirmeleri anlaşılmak istenmiştir. Çalışmanın amacı engellilik sosyolojisinin bakış açısı üzerinden şekillendirilmiş ve kuramsal olarak engelliliğin sosyal modeli ile insan hakları modelinden destek alınarak, elde edilen nitel veriler temellendirilmiştir. Nitel yöntem benimsenerek online derinlemesine görüşme tekniği kullanılmış ve veriler MAXQDA programında analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada aktivistler engellilik tanımına ilişkin olarak bireyin kendi tercihinin önemsenmesi gerektiği düşüncesini benimsemektedirler. Aktivistler engellilik aktivizmini sorunların giderilmesi ve çözümlerin işlevsel olması yönünde değişimleri sağlayan ve hak temelli mücadele yapma olarak tanımlamışladır. Aktivist olmanın temel amacı değişimi talep etmek ve bunun için harekete geçerek engelli bireylerin lehine düzenlemeler yaratmak yönünde mücadele etmektir. Aktivistlerin bu amaç doğrulusunda benimsedikleri çeşitli yöntemler olmakla birlikte hem eylemlerini yerine getirmede hem de yöntemlerini işletmede çeşitli sosyal, kültürel, ekonomik, siyasal sorunlarla karşı karşıya kalmaktadırlar. Aktivistler engelli bireylerin karşılaştıkları sorunları ayrımcılık ve dışlanma temelinde betimlemişlerdir. Aktivistler pandemi döneminin engellilik aktivizminin hem olumlu hem de olumsuz bazı yeni süreçler doğurduğuna ilişkin düşüncelere sahiptirler. Bulgular Türkiyede engelli aktivistlerin aktivizme ilişkin deneyimlerini, düşüncelerini, sorunlu gördükleri konuları ve değişim yaratılması gereken alanları anlamada ve yorumlamada genelleyici olmayan bazı ipuçları sunmuştur.

Article Details

The Meanings Disabled Activists Ascribe to Activism and Their Experiences in the Process of Struggling for the Rights of People with Disabilities

Authors:

Begüm Ardahanlıoğlu | Esra Burcu

Publisher:

Hacettepe University

Main Topics:

Sosyoloji

Journal:

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 2, pp.369-389

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001291189

pISSN:

1301-5737

Disability rights activism

disability activism

disability rights activists

disabled activists

activism.Engelli hakları aktivizmi

engellilik aktivizmi

engelli hakları aktivistleri

engelli aktivistler

aktivizm.

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Begüm Ardahanlıoğlu | Esra Burcu

Publisher: Hacettepe University

Main Topics: Sosyoloji

Journal: Hacettepe Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 2, pp.369-389

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001291189

pISSN: 1301-5737

Issues

Authors:

Begüm Ardahanlıoğlu | Esra Burcu

Publisher:

Hacettepe University

Main Topics:

Sosyoloji

Journal:

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 2, pp.369-389

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001291189

pISSN:

1301-5737