Understanding Disability

In this absorbing text by a leading writer and respected activist, theory, policy, historical background and personal experience are combined to give readers a rich and illuminating picture of the key issues raised by disability.

In the author's uniquely clear and lively narrative style, the book explores:

• The practical and political challenges that disablement presents

• Theoretical understandings of disability

• Disability law and the realities of policy implementation

• Key points of contention for the disability movement

This long-awaited new edition of a best-selling text includes new stories from the author's experience, as well as sharply framed debate about the development of policy over the last decade and a half. Its expansive coverage includes discussion of welfare, rehabilitation, special education and normalization.

This book is core reading for students of social work, nursing, health and applied social science taking modules in disability studies. Michael Oliver was the first Professor of Disability Studies in the United Kingdom and is Emeritus Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Greenwich, UK. He is the author of the path-breaking The Politics of Disablement and Social Work with Disabled People (in its third edition, co-authored with Bob Sapey).

Autorentext

MICHAEL OLIVER was the first Professor of Disability Studies in the United Kingdom and is currently Emeritus Professor at the University of Greenwich, UK.

Inhalt

Introduction
PART I: EXPERIENCING AND CHALLENGING A CHANGING WORLD
From Personal Struggle to Political Understanding and Back Again
Mobility Impairment in a Social Context
The Social Model: History, Critique and Response
Unmet Promises of Disability Law and Policy
Special Education into the Twenty First Century
PART II: THEORISING AND CHANGING A DISABLING WORLD
Disability and Normalisation: A Critique
The Relevance of Emancipatory Research for Policy Development
Disabling or Enabling Welfare: What Next for Disabled People
Disability Politics and the Disability Movement in Britain
Diasablement into the Twenty First Century
Personalising the Political and Politicising the Personal