Sociology Department lecture by Gallaudet University history professor Jeff Brune and UW PhD candidate Heather Evans
Title: Fear of Fakery: Disability Stigma in the Past and Present
Who: Jeff Brune and Heather Evans
Date: Thursday, February 26th
Time: 3:30-5:00 PM
Where: Gowen 1A, University of Washington Seattle
Presentation Abstract:
This project draws upon two studies to provide both macro and micro insights into disability stigma. The first part of the project focuses on how political debates increased the fear of malingering and the stigma of disability, shaping federal disability policies from the 1870s to the present. Jeff Brune, in his forthcoming book Disability Stigma and American Political Culture, documents and offers an explanation for why disability has become more stigmatized in the modern era along with an increasing fear of malingering—that people will fake or exaggerate disabilities in order to take advantage of benefits and avoid work. This fear predates the modern era, but became a feature of political debate during the Civil War pension program of the late nineteenth century. Its impact became even greater in the second half of the twentieth century, as disability benefit programs continued to grow. Ironically, the disability civil rights laws since the 1970s significantly increased the fear of malingering, the surveillance of disabled people, and the stigma of disability. Life history narratives with people with disabilities living in the Pacific Northwest illustrate the internalized fears and suspicions swirling around claiming disability today. As a result, many choose to 'pass' as nondisabled and decide not to draw upon resources and rights provided by disability benefit programs.
Jeff Brune is an Associate Professor of History at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. He is the co-editor, with Daniel J. Wilson, of the first major study of disability and passing, Blurring the Lines: Disability, Race, Gender and Passing in Modern America (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2013).
Heather D. Evans is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Sociology and a Fellow in the Comparative Law & Society Studies Program. Her dissertation examines the paradox of 'invisible disability', focusing on legal consciousness among people who have acquired non-evident impairment as adults.
Please direct any questions about this event to Heather Evans (hdevans@uw.edu). This is sponsored by the UW Sociology Stice Lectureship.
Accessibility:
ASL interpretation and CART captioning will be provided.
To request disability accommodation, contact the UW Disability Services Office, preferably at least 10 days in advance: 206.543.6450 (voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), 206.685.7264 (fax), dso@u.washington.edu.