Spatial politics and disability: A literary exploration of embodiment and marginalization in contemporary narratives

This study explores the intersection of spatial politics and disability through a qualitative, literature-based analysis of contemporary scholarship and narratives. Grounded in interdisciplinary frameworks from disability studies, feminist geography, literary criticism, and inclusive design, the research examines how space functions as a political and cultural construct that shapes embodied experiences of marginalization and belonging. Drawing conceptually on the spatial theory of Henri Lefebvre and the disciplinary analysis of Michel Foucault, alongside critical disability perspectives articulated by Lennard J. Davis and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, the study argues that disability is not merely a bodily condition but a socially and spatially produced phenomenon. Through thematic synthesis of selected scholarly works, the research identifies key areas of concern, including narrative representation, mobility justice, stigma, inclusive education, and participatory design. The findings reveal that contemporary narratives challenge binary categories such as abled/disabled and mobile/immobile by foregrounding embodiment, relationality, and spatial justice. Literature emerges as a transformative space that critiques ableist structures and reimagines inclusive environments. The study concludes that disability must be understood within the dynamic interplay of space, power, and narrative. By integrating spatial theory with disability criticism, this research contributes to a deeper conceptual understanding of how cultural texts both reflect and resist systemic marginalization, ultimately advocating for more equitable and inclusive socio-spatial practices.