Body and disability – participatíon in social Communities.

Abstract

People with a disability participate far less than the average population in all activities, which characterize ordinary everyday life in Denmark. This article builds on a phenomenological study questioning, if persons with a physical impairment, who participate in physical activities, achieve experiences that may change the way they participate in other social and societal contexts. The methods applied are narrative interviews and observations of the ways that 7 persons with a physical disability participate in various social practices in their everyday life.

The focus of the article is the significance of the body for the person’s participation in social communities, and how abilities are developed while moving between the various social prac- tices. It seems like the mismatch between body and surroundings loses its significance as other people arrange and coordinate the context so that the person is able to participate with the bodily prerequisites present. The article points out the importance of social communities and special adaptation when people with a physical disability are going to participate smoothly in the contexts of everyday life.