This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Mpofu, E. Articles by Conyers, L. M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

A Representational Theory Perspective of Minority Status and People with Disabilities

Implications for Rehabilitation Education and Practice

The Pennsylvania State University, exm31{at}psu.edu

Liza M. Conyers

The Pennsylvania State University

Minority is a term that has become particularly visible within the rehabilitation literature due to the increasing focus on the application of minority models to the understanding of the disability experience. At the same time, it is also one of the most ill-defined and misunderstood terms. In this article, the authors explore the meaning of minority status by discussing its core elements from a representational theory perspective. By doing so, they show that minority status is different from racial, ethnic, and cultural membership, although it partially overlaps with each of these constructs in some contexts. The authors argue that although race, culture, and ethnic minority status can attenuate or exacerbate minority status in some settings, these demographics are neither necessary nor sufficient conditions for minority status. Finally, the authors illustrate how many people with disabilities meet the essential criteria for minority status as outlined by representational theory and draw implications for rehabilitation practice, education, and research.

Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, Vol. 47, No. 3, 142-151 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/00343552040470030301


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. L. Werth Jr., N. J. Borges, C. J. McNally, C. P. Maguire, and P. J. Britton The Intersections of Work, Health, Diversity, and Social Justice: Helping People Living With HIV Disease The Counseling Psychologist, January 1, 2008; 36(1): 16 - 41. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Mpofu and D. A. Harley Racial and Disability Identity: Implications for the Career Counseling of African Americans With Disabilities Rehabil Couns Bull, October 1, 2006; 50(1): 14 - 23. [Abstract] [PDF]