Identidade, deficiência e movimentos sociais: um olhar sobre as Associações de PCDs no Município de Manaus

Abstract

In the contemporary world, the issue of identity is gaining greater prominence in the social scene, with the emergence of multicultural societies and of the so-called new social movements, which have brought voice to groups considered minority. In the case of people with disabilities, they only constitute a group with a defined social identity from the 1960s, when individuals with different types of disabilities come together to claim their social rights. Gradually, these movements start to gain a political character, with the disabled creating their own associations aiming to promote their social strengthening as opposed to welfare associations. Given the above, the present thesis has as main objective to analyze the contribution of associations of people with disabilities, with emphasis on the formation of the social identity of this group, in the municipality of Manaus. The thesis also has as specific objectives, to discuss the concepts about identity, from the existing relations between the different social groups; explain the struggle of social movements to defend the rights of people with disabilities throughout history; identify associations of people with disabilities at regional level; and analyze the functioning of associations of people with disabilities at the municipal level. To carry out the research, three associations were chosen: The Association of the Physically Disabled of Amazonas (ADEFA), the Association of the Visually Impaired of Amazonas (ADVAM) and the Association of the Deaf of Manaus (ASMAN). The investigation was based on a qualitative, descriptive, bibliographic and documentary approach, as both theoretical references and internal documents regarding the functioning of associations were used. The research method used was the phenomenological, since the purpose is to describe the phenomena that present themselves to perception, aiming to interpret the world from the lived experience of consciousness. The fieldwork was developed through semi-structured interviews, with the participation of associates and presidents of the associations, in addition to documentary study on the spot with the help of employees that work in these entities. From the results obtained, it was concluded that associations have a fundamental role in the formation of disabled identity, since when participating in them, members feel welcomed and even proud to recognize themselves as disabled.