For most of the twentieth century, people with disabilities have
been regarded as 'victims' of their condition and a 'burden' on
society. More recently, however, disabled people and their
organizations across Europe and North America have challenged
conventional explanations for their individual and collective
disadvantage, calling for policy measures to change the image and
status of disabled people in the Western world.
In this new book, Barnes and Mercer provide a concise and
accessible introduction to the concept of disability. Drawing on a
burgeoning 'disability studies' literature from around the world,
and from a range of disciplinary perspectives, the authors explore
the evolution of this concept and offer a wide-ranging critique of
established academic, policy and professional orthodoxies. The book
highlights disabled peoples' exclusion and marginalization in key
areas of social activity and participation across different
historical and cultural contexts, such as family life and
reproduction, education, employment, leisure, cultural imagery and
politics.
The analysis concentrates on disability as a distinctive form of
social oppression similar to that experienced by women, minority
ethnic and 'racial' groups, and lesbians and gay men. Key issues
addressed include: theorizing disability; historical and
comparative perspectives; experiencing impairment and disability;
professional and policy intervention in the lives of disabled
people; disability politics, social policy and citizenship; and
disability culture.
This will be essential reading for those studying sociology,
social policy, social work, health studies, disability studies, and
thosein the therapy and nursing professions.
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