ABSTRACT
Feminists have long attacked the media image of “the Body Beautiful” as oppressive, exploitative, and objectifying. The disabled woman’s body may not meet the standard of “perfection” in image, form, or function. Disabled women are often advised by professionals not to bear children, and are more likedly to be threatened by or be victims of involuntary sterilization. Concerns for reproductive freedom and child custody, as well as rape and domestic violence often exclude the disabled woman by assuming her to be an asexual creature. Feminist events should be accessible, and feminist issues expanded to include the specific concerns of disabled women. For disabled women, “lifestyle, sexual preference and personal decisions are viewed as consequences of the disability rather than as choices.” Disabled women share the social stereotype of women in general as being weak and passive, and in fact are depicted as the epitome of the incompetent female.
