Lights and Shadows of Social Representations

This contribution aims to illustrate how social representations can play both negative and positive roles, depending on the use made of them. Beginning with a presentation of the meaning of social representations and an illustration of their functions, this paper offers a reflection on the representations revolving around adult persons with disabilities. How can social representations influence their self perception? What is the risk of these predetermining factors limiting personal independence? On the contrary, how can they be a driver of continuous evolution towards genuine self determination? Finally, the paper offers some reflections on the role that education has, and can have, in all of this.