Uppeldi og menntun - 01.01.2010, Side 152

Uppeldi og menntUn/icelandic JoUrnal of edUcation 19(1–2)/2010152
að alaSt Upp með fötlUn
The major difficulties facing the disabled youth in this study were various social
barriers created by a negative understanding of disabled children as “abnormal” and
the view that their lives were tragic and they were a source of grief within their families.
All of the participants mentioned having encountered difficulties due to such negative
stereotypes and attitudes towards disabled children and youth. They tried to challenge
and resist these negative stereotypes and presented themselves as children who were
like any other children and emphasized what they had in common with others. Their
impairment was an integral part of who they were, for them it was “normal” to have
impairment, they had never known life without it and did not regard it as their biggest
problem. When asked what advice they would give parents who were raising disabled
children they emphasized that parents should not overprotect their children. It was
important to allow disabled children to take risks and learn about their limits by
themselves. They cautioned parents never to feel sorry for their son or daughter, pity
was the worst thing they could encounter. Instead parents should enable the child to
take part in the same activities as other children. The findings from this study suggest
it is essential that we listen to the voices of disabled children and youth and integrate
their experiences and knowledge in our policies and practices.
aBout tHE autHors
Rannveig Traustadóttir (rannvt@hi.is) is Professor in the Faculty of Social and Human
Sciences, School of Social Sciences, University of Iceland. She is also the Director of the
Center for Disability Studies.
Hanna Björg Sigurjónsdóttir (hbs@hi.is) is Associate Professor and Chair of the Division
of Disability Studies in the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, School of Social
Sciences, University of Iceland.
Helgi Þór Gunnarsson (helgi.thor.gunnarsson@reykjavik.is) is MA in Disability Studies
and Manager of a Department Cluster for people with mental health labels in the City
of Reykjavík.