From shame to pride: the politics of disabled traveller identity

McDonagh, Rosaleen (2019) From shame to pride: the politics of disabled traveller identity. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Travellers are a marginalised, under-researched group in Irish society. This thesis seeks to add an insider voice to their lived experience. It reappraises a complex and intersectional subset of Traveller identity – that of disabled Irish Traveller. The focus of the thesis is the extent and effect that racism and ableism have on disabled Traveller identity. The data used to develop and support this thesis was drawn from first-hand testimonial material gathered in one-to-one interviews and focus groups with disabled Travellers, disabled settled people and non-disabled Travellers, regarding their perceptions of impairment, racism and identity. It utilises this material and the insights gained from the literature to theorise on the position of disabled Travellers within the Travelling community and the relationship of Travellers with the settled population. It argues that the relationship between Travellers and Irish society is fraught with problems. It further argues that racism and ableism impact pervasively and negatively on the experience of being an Irish Traveller with an impairment. Shame has been mobilised as a means of conditioning Traveller identity and experience. Pride is key in offering a means of resisting the shame and stigma imposed from outside.

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