Disability in the Shadows: A Historical Reflection on Exclusion and Misunderstanding:

Rohi Jan; Aqib Rehman

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.63138

Disability in the Shadows: A Historical Reflection on Exclusion and Misunderstanding:

Author(s)	Ms. Rohi Jan, Aqib Rehman
Country	India
Abstract	The lived experiences of people with disabilities are critically reflected in this paper. a period when the majority of society was ignorant and there was very little social awareness regarding disabilities. Disability was frequently misinterpreted, concealed, or stigmatized in many parts of the world, especially in less urbanized or marginalized areas. Instead of being seen as unique individuals with rights, potential, and contributions, disabled people were often perceived as burdensome, pathetic, or incapable. In order to investigate how these misconceptions influenced the lives of disabled people in the private settings of their homes, schools, neighbourhoods, and larger communities, this study goes back to that historical background. The study aims to reveal the layers of social neglect and emotional isolation that disabled people endure by using historical documents, firsthand accounts, and secondary data. In order to better understand their child's condition, parents frequently lacked access to trustworthy information or support networks, which left them feeling overburdened and unprepared to effectively advocate. Similar to this, educators and educational institutions were mainly unprepared to interact or accommodate students with disabilities, which led to their widespread exclusion from formal education. It was common for neighbours, extended family, and even members of the community to react indifferently, uneasily, or even discriminatorily. This paper also considers the psychological and emotional toll such systemic neglect imposed on disabled individuals. Many grew up internalizing societal rejection, with limited opportunities to express themselves, form peer relationships, or dream beyond the boundaries imposed on them. The cumulative impact of these experiences contributed to a cycle of marginalization, where the absence of institutional support and the silence of policy frameworks further entrenched disability as a private burden rather than a public concern. The research further highlights how this historical neglect was not merely the result of individual ignorance, but of broader structural failures, including lack of inclusive policies, poor disability representation in media and public discourse, and minimal investment in accessible infrastructure or rehabilitation services. The paper emphasizes the need to understand this period not only as a reflection of what was, but as a foundational context that continues to shape current disability discourses and the long journey toward inclusion. The study highlights the transformative significance of awareness, inclusive education, social acceptance, and policy advocacy by tracing these historical struggles. It urges a more knowledgeable and compassionate approach to disability, using historical silences as a wake-up call to the pressing need for inclusive and equitable futures. Thus, this historical reflection serves as a record of exclusion as well as a call to action for collective responsibility, rights-based frameworks, and empowerment.
Keywords	Disability, history, Exclusion, Misunderstanding, Discrimination, Stigma, and Lack of Awareness
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.63138

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Disability in the Shadows: A Historical Reflection on Exclusion and Misunderstanding:

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