Over recent years there has been an unprecedented upsurge of
interest in the general area of disability and disability studies
amongst academics and researchers throughout the world. This has
generated an increasingly expansive literature, from a variety of
perspectives, including cultural studies, development studies,
geography, history, philosophy, social policy, social psychology
and sociology. Perhaps inevitably, given this heightened interest,
a number of important challenges and debates have emerged which
raise many significant questions for all those interested in this
newly emergent and increasingly important field.
Disability
Studies Today provides an invaluable introduction to and an
overview of these concerns and controversies.
Although the field is increasingly interdisciplinary in nature,
the emphasis is primarily a sociological one since sociology
continues to play a central role in the development of disability
studies. Whilst the focus is primarily on theoretical innovation
and advancement, the arguments presented in this book have
important political and policy implications for both disabled and
non-disabled people. Moreover, since disability studies, like
ethnic, women's and gay and lesbian studies, has developed
from a position of engagement and activism rather than one of
detachment, the articles in this volume maintain this tradition.
The book contains contributions from established figures, as well
as newcomers to the field. Topics covered include: the history of
the development of disability studies in Britain and America, key
ideas, issues and thinkers, the role of the body, divisions and
hierarchies, history, power and identity, work, politics and the
disabled peoples' movement, globalization, human rights,
research and the role of the academy.
This book will prove invaluable to scholars, researchers,
students and policy makers and, indeed, all those involved in this
increasingly important area of social enquiry.
Industry Reviews
"This edition is edited by the three people who have done more than
anyone to establish disability studies as a academic discipline in
the UK ... This collection provides a good overview of where
disability studies has come from."
Tom Shakespeare, Times Higher Education
Supplement
"Disability Studies Today is a welcome introduction to an
expanding field which examines the experience of disability and
knowledge about people with disabilities. It covers key issues and
reflects the present, ongoing debates as the field matures.
Scholars from around the world in a number of disciplines ?
sociology, cultural studies, geography, history, policy studies,
philosophy history, and others ? are focusing on the rich
theoretical, political, and policy implications which are being
presented. Disabled and non-disabled people are contributing to
this discussion as are activists in the field. This text is
essential to the understanding of the field of disability studies
for newly emerging scholars, activists, established figures, and
especially for students who are studying disability."
David Pfieffer, University of Hawaii
