Review: Research involving people with a learning disability – methodological challenges and ethical considerations

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 447-448
Author(s):  
Michael Brown
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disability ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Methodological Challenges

Depiction of intellectual disability in fiction

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupama Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
English Language ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Counter Narratives ◽  
Physical Attributes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities

I explore some of the ways in which intellectual disability (learning disability) is depicted in fiction. My premise is that literature both reflects and shapes societal attitudes to people in this vulnerable minority group. People with intellectual disabilities are seldom able to determine, confirm or counter narratives about themselves. This situation, in which the subject is fundamentally unable to participate in their representation, raises unique ethical considerations. I use examples from various English-language novels to discuss how subjective accounts, observable behaviours and physical attributes are all employed to characterise people with intellectual disabilities.

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