2. +
The Study and It’s Rationale
The scholars believe that this research is necessary because it
will surface the communicative challenges that disabled and
handicapped people face when interacting with others who are
not disabled or handicapped
The scholars stress that these relationships that involve
disabled and non-disabled people face barriers that are not a
stigma in other relationships:
“For nondisabled people, this may be due to lack of experience
interacting with people who are disabled, which leads to high
uncertainty about how to interact with a person who is disabled” (p.
210)
3. +
The Study and It’s Objectives
The goal of the research was “to focus on communication
between nondisabled persons and persons with disabilities as
intercultural communication” (p. 208)
The study began by distinguishing between disability and
handicap
The study then wanted to view disabled and handicap people
as part of a group or culture and gain knowledge of the
behavior of individuals within that culture
This study also focuses on talking with disabled people rather
than about them
4. +
Method of Study
The research was guided by a qualitative method
Over 100 in-depth interviews
with adults who are physically disabled
Scholars wanted to capture specific examples of human
behavior specific to interactions between disabled and non-
disabled people
5. +
Process of Study
In-depth interviews with 100 adults who were disabled
Encouraged interviewees to share their stories
A central theme found: redefinition
“people who are disabled critique the prevailing stereotypes about
being disabled, they create new ways od perceiving themselves and
their disability, and they develop ways of communicating as a result”
(p. 212)
In order to fulfill the objectives, redefinition of self (the disable
individual), the concept of disability, and the literal term for the
dominant culture
6. +
Interpretive Approach
The interpretive approach was used to guide the study
The scholars aimed to describe the central theme which
emerged in the research
Scholars followed an qualitative method of study
Emphasized the ethnography of communication within disabled
and non-disabled interactions
7. +
Significant Quote 1
“The onset of a physical disability requires learning new ways
of thinking and talking about oneself, and developing new
ways of communicating with others” (p. 209)
This quote immediately made me think about a excerpt from our
text. On page 4, it discusses the self-awareness imperative as
being important for why we study intercultural communication
This quote reassures the imperative in saying that learning about
cultures that are different from our own raises the awareness of
that individual
It’s a full circle
8. +
Significant Quote 2
“As a result, nondisabled persons may feel overly self-
conscious and their actions may be constrained, self
controlled, and rigid because they feel uncomfortable and
uncertain” (p.210)
This statement from the text hit the nail on the head for me. I
can think of many times where I have felt this way when
interacting with someone who is disabled
The scholars gives examples that usually result in nondisabled
people end up avoiding those who are disabled not out of
hatred, but because he or she is not certain how to act or they
over-do a certain behavior to ensure some type of comfort.
9. +
Thought Provoking
I really like the concept of REDEFINITION (p.179 in the text)
Redefinition creates an opportunity for those who do not agree
with or accept the definition that is attached to who they are.
For example: white, female, or straight
With that being said, in the article, the scholars yearned to
redefine who and what disabled individuals are. Many disabled
people consider themselves as public teachers.
Would you be willing to redefine who or what you are
labeled as?
10. +
Thought Provoking
In the textbook, we read about identities in context of culture.
Do you feel part of an identity when are one a small fish in a big
pond? For example, as for me, I am a white female living in
America; therefore, I am part of the majority.
Disabled individuals yearn for their own identity so they aren’t
stuck in the “minority category.”
What’s your identity? Do you ever feel lost in something that is
bigger than yourself?
11. +
References
Braithwaite, D. & Braithwaite, C. “Which is my good leg?:
Cultural Communication of persons with disabilities.
Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2010). Intercultural
Communication in Contexts, (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill
