'You are a parasite on the productive classes': online disablist hate speech in austere times. Issue 3 (16th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burch, Leah
• Is Part Of: Disability & society. Volume 33:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 392
• Page End: 415
• Publication Date: 2018-03-16
• Subjects: Online hate speech -- disablism -- austerity -- welfare dependency; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Special education -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 362.4
• DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2017.1411250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-7599

Abstract

Abstract: In response to a climate of austerity, disability has been keyed to a meta-narrative that has a political purpose, to justify extensive welfare cuts by positioning disability as a drain on so-called 'hard-working taxpayers'. This paper explores how this meta-narrative is articulated on the online bulletin board, Reddit, to show how disablist hate speech may emerge as an attempt to secure one's sense of self during austere times. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) is employed to reveal these instances and highlights the normalisation of disablist hate speech within the wider context of welfare dependency. Based on these findings, this paper makes recommendations for future research and makes a call for policy change.