Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Marion G. Mendy August 2020 © 2020 Marion G. Mendy. All Rights Reserved. This dissertation titled Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians by MARION G. MENDY has been approved for the School of Communication Studies and the Scripps College of Communication by John W. Smith Professor of Communication Studies Scott Titsworth Dean, Scripps College of Communication ii Abstract MENDY, MARION G., Ph.D., August 2020, Communication Studies Constructing Disability Identities in The Gambia: The Role of Disability NGOs, Societal Norms, and Lived Experiences in Shaping the Identities of Differently Abled Gambians Director of Dissertation: John W. Smith This qualitative study highlights rich and compelling insights into how individuals living with disability identities are treated negatively as a result of their physical differences. To understand what it means to be disabled in The Gambia, this study obtained different viewpoints of how individuals make sense of their disability identities by examining the perceptions of individuals living with disabilities, the family members of persons with disabilities, and employees of a disability NGO known as The Gambia Organization of the Visually Impaired (GOVI). The results of the study suggest that people with disabilities in The Gambia can be differentiated into three main categories. These include (1) individuals who rely on the community’s goodwill for sustenance, and as a result of their dependency, feel profoundly devalued by society; (2) Folks with disabilities who are employed, self- reliant, and economically independent and therefore have the choice to defy and/or dispute the social structures that limit and discriminate against them; and (3) individuals who are assertive, embrace their disabilities, and portray themselves as resilient as a result of the positive support obtained from family members and people close to them. iii Dedication To two exemplary women in my life whose hard work and extraordinary love has shaped me to be the person I am today: Augusta Nicol- Mendy & Abigail Grant- Nicol. To my precious and amazing family for their unconditional love: Assan Sarr, Aji- Fatou Sarr, and Mamud Sarr. iv Acknowledgments With a grateful heart, I would like to sincerely thank my incredible Advisor, Dr. JW. Smith, whose invaluable support, guidance and encouragement made it possible for me to complete my graduate studies and this dissertation. His academic advice, inspiration and patience made my graduate school journey truly edifying and unforgettable. I will forever be grateful that my path so meaningfully crossed with his. I would also like to express special thanks to my amazing dissertation committee: Dr. Laura Black, Dr. Emmanuel Jean- Francois and Dr. Austin Babrow. These amazing professors have not only supported me through the years, their invaluable comments and feedback, I believe, has made me a better scholar. Over the years, I also benefitted from the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Yea- Wen Chen, who continues to inspire me. I would also like to thank Professors who have also helped me along my graduate school journey: Dr. Stephanie Tikkanen, Jessica Ford Dr. Steve Howard, Diane Ciekawy, Dr. Edna E. Wangui, Dr. Kevin Hales, and Dr. Ibra Sene of the College of Wooster and his amazing wife, Loubar Diouf, and Yaye Fatou Sene, his daughter also deserves my thanks. My deepest appreciation goes to all of my incredible and precious participants, who so willingly spared their valuable time to engage and talk with me. I am so grateful to them for being part of this journey. Their stories and experiences will forever be in my memory as I strive to meaningfully contribute to make a difference in their lives. I would also like to extend my thanks to the incredible management and staff of GOVI especially v the Executive director, Mr. Lamin Colley. Mr. Colley and his colleagues welcomed me warmly into their offices and shared crucial information with me. Several others have contributed significantly to making this dissertation a success: My sincere thanks to Rohey Sanyang, Binta S. Jaiteh, Sirra Danso and Isatou Jallow who helped me greatly during my research to conduct interviews. Rohey and Binta in particular helped me translate and transcribe the interview data we collected. I thank Mr. Kebba Lowe of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Sainey Bah of the Law Faculty at the University of The Gambia for his kind assistance in this project and Mr. Charles D. Gomez for his immense help. I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Madi Jobarteh (formerly of TANGO), Abdoulie Jabang, Honorable National Assembly Member for The Gambia, Ndey Yassin Secka, the African Studies Program at Ohio University especially Dr. Ghirmai Negash and Bose Maposa. This dissertation could not have been completed without all of their support. I want to express my appreciation and special thanks to the entire Gambian community at Ohio University for their support and motivation. I am especially grateful for their companionship over the years. I would also like to thank Shermineh Zanjani Davari, for being an amazing and a true friend, and for making life at Ohio University fun and filled with laughter. I would also like to recognize Hanan Al-Shadadi, Katy Ross, Shariq Sherwani, Elizabeth Jenkins, and Gang Luo for their friendship. In addition, I also want to sincerely thank my parents for their relentless support and love, Augusta Nicol- Mendy, and Joseph Mendy and my lovely sister, Elizabeth Mendy and her husband Anthony Mendy. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Donald vi Wright and Doris Wright for welcoming me into their lives, and for including us (my husband, children and I) as part of their family. Their love for us is sincere. They will always have a special place in our hearts. Finally, I want especially thank my family who supported and cheered me on this journey. I couldn’t have made it this far without the unwavering support and unconditional love of my husband Assan Sarr, and my adorable children Aji- Fatou Sarr and Mamud Sarr. They have tolerated me during difficult and happy times in my — to make me laugh, let me cry, and always encouraging me to follow my dreams. I am truly grateful for all their support in making this journey a success. vii Table of Contents Page Abstract ......................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ..................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments ...........................................................................................................v List of Figures ............................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................1 The Beginning of Inquiry ...........................................................................................1 Statement of Problem and Contextual Background.....................................................7 Methodological and Theoretical Framework ............................................................ 12 Research Questions .................................................................................................. 13 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 15 Physical Disability/Impairment .......................................................................... 15 Disability Identity .............................................................................................. 17 Difference .......................................................................................................... 18 Communication .................................................................................................. 19 Significance of the Study ......................................................................................... 20 Limitations of the Study ........................................................................................... 22 Outline of the Dissertation ....................................................................................... 23 Summary of the Chapter .......................................................................................... 24 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature ............................................................................... 25 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework ................................................................... 27 Symbolic Interactionism .................................................................................... 27 Disability Narratives and Discourse ......................................................................... 29 A. Perceptions of Disability in sub-Saharan Africa ...................................... 29 B. The Contemporary Perception of Disability ............................................ 33 The Models of Disability ........................................................................................