Abstract:
This paper, based on the theoretical framework of childhood studies of disabled children,
investigates the agency of disabled children in the Global South of the Northern
Hemisphere, critically incorporating theoretical frameworks primarily developed in the
Global North. Through a review and critical discourse analysis of 15 academic articles
on the agency of disabled children, this study identifies how their agency is
conceptualised and represented across different sociocultural and political contexts in
the Global South. It was found that the agency of disabled children in the Global South
is manifested as freedom, aspiration, contextual, and influenced by power relations;
moreover, their agency often requires mediation, as their voices are not always trusted or
understood. This research explores how these children, often viewed from a
vulnerability perspective, demonstrate agency in uniquely resilient ways, challenging
conventional norms and expectations. The findings reveal significant differences in the
theoretical understanding of agency between countries in the Southern and Northern
Hemispheres, emphasising the need to recontextualise Northern theories to
accommodate the diverse realities of disabled children's lives in the Global South.
Furthermore, the study discusses the implications of these insights for the theory of
childhood and the agency of disabled children in China, suggesting that Chinese
scholars and educational policymakers need to alter their perception of disabled children
and view them as social agents. The research advocates for a nuanced understanding of
institutions adapted to cultural, social, and economic diversities, which is crucial for
advancing research on disabled children in China, as well as inclusive education and
broader societal acceptance.
