Human rights as a moral language and the politics of life of blind singers

Abstract

This research examines the human rights ideology as part of a global political-moral project, translated locally by the Thailand Association of the Blind, and social activities in Thailand. Data was collected through the use of participant observation and by carrying out informal interviews with blind singers. In addition, key informants from government organizations and non-profit organizations were also interviewed about the development of the conceptual basis, strategic and operational function of those organizations for blind people.  Additional data such as online information, books, or supplementary field data were used for analysis. The paper reveals that human rights as it is applied to the human dignity doctrine among people living with disabilities have become the new moral-political language and singular moral category among blind singers. People with disabilities are unable to adapt to the value standards that the moral language of human rights produces. They will be socially excluded and considered without human dignity. The article also pointed out that human rights are not universal. It can create a value standard by which to judge the inequality of human beings in a population. It can be understood by studying human rights in the context in which they manifest themselves in the world of social life to whom human rights are entangled.