Mahi and Saanvi felt differently, perceiving their bodies' appearance as more important than their functioning. However, managing appearance was a way to reshape dominant narratives about disability. Like, dying one's hair.

Participants on Their Functionality

For women with disabilities, body functionality takes on additional significance, carrying implications for life domains ranging from health to education and employment. Research on young women with disabilities indicates that many consider their body's functionality to be more important than its appearance.

University of North Texas

Google

Body functionality encompasses everything the body can do, including internal processes, actions, communication, and self-care. Functionality is an emerging positive body image construct because focusing on it can help women value their bodies for more than their appearance. 

Body Functionality

Dhillon, M., & Kumar, A. (2026). ‘Disabled and beautiful’: young women’s negotiations of beauty and body ideals. Disability & Society

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