Academic Scientific JournalsSelf-advocacy of a person with a disability in the dual role of paid worker and volunteer: Theoretical considerations and a case study
Keywords:
disability awareness, hearing impairment, paid work, self-advocacy, volunteerismAbstract
The changing models of disability influence the way people with disabilities participate in social life, and how they can transform their life and environment. Such participation may take the form of work and volunteering, as well as participation in self-advocacy movements. This paper aims to explore how a woman with hearing impairment perceives her dual role as a regular worker and voluntary self-advocate within one organization that supports those with disabilities. During an interview, she highlighted the role of self-advocacy in her personal and professional life, including the opportunities this gave her to thrive, as well as indicated the potential her work had for raising disability awareness within society. The results are discussed in light of the current literature about the meaning of self-advocacy for people with disabilities.
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