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African American Women with Disabilities: An Overview

Eddie Glenn, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Fellowship
Howard University Research and Training Center

Abstract

The premise of this paper is that African American women with disabilities are victims of the impact of a "triple jeopardy" syndrome: race, gender, and disability. The author makes the point that there is a dire need for research which focuses on the status, needs, and aspirations of African American women with disabilities. The research study under discussion is designed to address the issue of multiple jeopardy in which most African American women with disabilities find themselves.

Introduction

It is only recently that people in general have begun to hold candid discussions about disability. Even people with disabilities have always been reluctant to talk about themselves. In the past, many persons with disabilities were self-conscious. In addition, many of them refused to admit that there were differences between persons with disabilities and the non-disabled. In the African American communities, discussions of disability were even less prevalent. African American men and women seemed to feel that silence would somehow alleviate the stigma attached to their conditions. This silence was especially acute among African American women who felt that their disabilities were not issues for discussion. These conditions were personal matters which were seldom, if ever, shared with other people. Today, however, a tremendous change in the attitudes of people with disabilities is very evident. Individuals with disabilities, including African American women, are finding it more and more difficult to remain silent about how they should live their lives. Many African American women with disabilities are cognizant of the fact that they are "victims" of the "stigma" attached to three "minority" groups. These perceptions place them in a special category.

The purpose of this study is to address the issue of multiple jeopardy in which most African American women with disabilities find themselves. Several objectives are identified including the following: 1) to explore what it means to be an African American woman with a disability in a society that devalues people who are African American, have a disability, and are female. Although men as well as women with disabilities experience severe prejudice and discrimination in our society, women with disabilities carry a double (Froschel & Rousso, 1984) and sometimes triple burden. In other words, African American women with disabilities are faced with additional types of oppression. 2) To examine several aspects of the lives of African American women with disabilities in an effort to determine the impact of this "triple jeopardy" syndrome. It is noted that although there has been an increase of rehabilitation literature on women, there is an underrepresentation of such literature pertaining to African American women with disabilities. 3) To underscore the need for explicit attention to relevant issues regarding the success of African American women with disabilities in the following four areas: (a) support and family relationship, (b) education, (c) participation in the rehabilitation process, and (d) employment and income.

Today, there are an estimated 43 million Americans who have disabilities, of which, 13,420,000 are between ages 16 and 64 and report a work-related disability (Bowe, 1990). This figure translates to approximately 8.6%, or about one in every twelve (12) "working-age" Americans.

Disability is disproportionately high among "minority" groups (Walker, 1991). Of the 13,420,000 Americans between ages 16 and 64 who have disabilities, some 2,512,000 are African Americans and report a work-related disability. This figure translates to approximately 13.7%, or about one in every seven African Americans who are of "working-age." African Americans make up approximately 19% of all persons of working age who have disabilities, yet they represent just 8.6% of all year round full time workers with disabilities (Bowe, 1990). Therefore, African Americans incur a disability at a much higher rate than their white American counterparts.

According to Bowe (1990), of the 13,420,000 adults age 16-64 who report a work-related disability, 6,714,000 or 50%, are women. This figure translates to 8.4% or about one in every 12 "working age" women. Also, further examination of the data indicates that one in three (34%) African American or Hispanic women with disabilities are severely disabled, compared to three in ten in 1981 (Bowe, 1990). In addition, more than two-thirds of African American women with disabilities (69%) are categorized as severely disabled versus 51% of white American women. A review of the data clearly illustrates that not only do women have more disabilities than men, but also that more African American women have disabilities at a disproportionately higher rate when compared with white American women with disabilities. Therefore, one would expect that research and studies would include a substantial amount of information about African Americans with disabilities, especially African American women with disabilities. However, this is not the case.

A more recent review of the rehabilitation literature and related disciplines, indicates that issues concerning African American women with disabilities have been neglected. For example, in examining the lifestyles of African American women with disabilities, it is evident that this group of women is confronted with many barriers in the struggle for equality and rights. While women with disabilities in general are subjected to prejudice and discrimination because of their disabilities, African American women with disabilities are at greater risk for becoming victims of negative attitudes and behaviors, because of gender, race/ethnic group, and disability. These individuals are placed in a category known as "triple jeopardy," because they belong to three distinct "minority" groups within the American society. This triple "whammy" puts these individuals at a further disadvantage compared to men and White women who are disabled, as well as women who are not disabled.

African American women with disabilities have historically been excluded by both the disability movement as well as the feminist movement. During the 1960s and the 1970s, the disability movement gained momentum on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement. However, African American women with disabilities were not visible. It is time to stop viewing African American women with disabilities as helpless, childlike, dependent, needy, victimized, and passive individuals since it reinforces the traditional stereotypes of women. Inaccurate and negative perceptions are reasons why some African American women with disabilities may have been excluded from the movement. A review of the rehabilitation literature suggests that while there are some African American women with disabilities who have met the challenge, there are still many who are angry and bitter about the isolation, despair, poverty, and powerlessness. Regardless of the design, there is a scarcity of literature about African American women with disabilities. Both the data and current legislation point to the need and can facilitate a change that includes African American women with disabilities in the rehabilitation literature.

Although the last decade has seen an increase of rehabilitation literature on women, the existing literature on African American women with disabilities has been limited in scope. Some attempts have been made to incorporate diversity of race, ethnicity, and class. However, African American women with disabilities are still not given sufficient consideration in the literature. Little attention has been given to this unique group which has been so underrepresented over the years. Although there have been legal changes (e.g. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.), inclusion activities still appear to be restricted in various aspects of the lives of African American women with disabilities.

These two distinct movements (the Women and Civil Rights Movements) have encouraged women with disabilities, including African American women with disabilities, to perform self evaluations and to strive for equality and their rights. These individuals, along with political forces and advocacy groups, have managed to help focus on civil rights, interdependence, and abilities. In addition, this ongoing impetus of the Civil Rights Movement has opened doors and provided leverage for African American women with disabilities to join forces and to obtain benefits.

According to Bowe (1990), African American women with disabilities comprise 20.4% of the working age population of women with work disabilities; although, African American women are only 12.4% of all 16-64 women (see Figure 1). This is due to the fact that 13.8% of all African American women have work disabilities, as opposed to 7.7% of white women

The data also indicate that 9.5% of all 16-64 year old African American women have severe disabilities, more than double the rate of white American women which is 3.98% (Figure 3). A translation of these figures illustrates that of all women who are severely disabled and of working age, African American women with disabilities make up 26%.

African American women with disabilities contribute disproportionately to the population of under-educated American women. Three out of every ten women with a disability of working age have fewer than eight years of schooling. Consequently, these individuals are least likely to have a high school diploma. Due to the severity of their disability and the lack of schooling, women with disabilities do not vigorously participate in the labor force (approximately 27.5% are African American women). African American women with disabilities are more likely to live in metropolitan areas, and in the South. They are least likely to be married or living in a family arrangement. In addition, the data indicate that they have an average total income of $6,355 a year.

These findings document the increased need for inclusion of African American women with disabilities in research activities that can explore how various dimensions of the "triple jeopardy" impact their lives. There is clearly sufficient data that substantiate the need for increased inclusion of African American women with disabilities in such research activities. It is hoped that future research projects and studies concerning rehabilitation will reflect the exploration of the "triple jeopardy" issue in a manner that will adequately address the needs of African American women with disabilities. Anticipated outcomes of such research activities include the following: a) A theoretical framework designed to be utilized in research with African American women with disabilities, and b) models developed which will facilitate a better understanding of, alleviate the problems thereby reducing some of the barriers which prevent African American women with disabilities from obtaining equality and other civil rights. Hopefully, these research activities will assist in fostering not only a better understanding of the lives of African American women with disabilities, but also enhance their ability to make a contribution and live productive and meaningful lives.

References

Bowe, F. (1990). Adults with disabilities: A portrait. Washington, DC: President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Froschel, M & Rousso, H. (Eds). (1984). Building Community: A Manual exploring issues of women and disability. New York, NY: Educational Equity Concepts, Inc.

Walker, S. (1991). Building Bridges to Empowerment for Minority Students with Disabilities. OSERS News in Print, III (4), 6-9.

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