ABSTRACT
To reverse the negative connotations of disability apparent in this list, it will be necessary to claim the value and variety of disability in ways that may seem strange to readers who have little experience with disability studies. But it is vital to show to what extent the ideology of ability collapses once we ‘‘claim disability’’ as a positive identity (Linton 1998). It is equally vital to understand that claiming disability, while a
significant political act, is not only political but also a practice that improves quality of life for disabled people. As documented in the case of other minority identities, individuals who identify positively rather than negatively with their disability status lead more productive and happier lives. Feminism, the black and red powermovements, as well as gay and disability pride-to name onlya fewpositive identity formations-win tangible benefits for their members, freeing themnotonly fromtheviolence,hatred, and prejudice directed toward them but also providing them with both shared experiences to guide life choices and a community in which to prosper. Some readers with a heightened sense of
paradox may object that claiming disability as a positive identity merely turns disability into ability and so remains within its ideological horizon. But disability identity does not flounder on this paradox. Rather, the paradox demonstrates how difficult it is to think beyond the ideological horizon of ability and how crucial it is to make the attempt. For thinking of disability as ability, we will see, changes themeaning and usage of ability.
