Disability Identity

Individuals possess multiple identities that form the core of their self-concept and view of the world. A significant identity some individuals must incorporate is disability. In the literature, disability identity is typically defined as the positive adoption and incorporation of disability into one’s self-image. It is described as a social process that emphasizes positive characteristics and outcomes such as affiliation, advocacy, awareness, and self-acceptance. At a group level, these behaviors and beliefs do, indeed, exemplify disability identity. At the individual level, this description is overly prescriptive as disability is not a unitary construct. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, disability includes any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. These limitations exist along a continuum influenced by factors including societal beliefs, age of onset, type of disability, visibility, severity, and access to resources. As such, individual variation in disability precludes an all-encompassing group disability identity. The extent to which a person integrates disability identity into their self-concept varies and requires consideration of all aspects of their disability.

Within this context, disability identity is seen as a central component of self-concept. It shares similarities to identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. That is to say, each of these identities encompasses too much variability to simply describe them under a singular group identity. For example, religious identity is central to many individuals’ self-concepts. Its development and expression are influenced by factors that include experience, opportunity, and family values. Similar to religious identity, disability identity varies greatly from individual to individual.

This entry highlights disability identity development from the individual’s perspective. The entry emphasizes aspects of disability and the impact of societal beliefs, values, and resources. Understanding the context in which people may view disabled people can provide insight into the development of their disability identity. Since disability and societal factors are inextricably intertwined, the subsequent discussion emphasizes their interaction and impact. The initial discussion focuses on prominent societal views of disability and associated barriers. Attention then turns to address the interaction of specific factors (e.g., type, severity, age of onset) and their impact on disability identity development.