Disability Politics and Theory

by A.J. Withers, Robyn Maynard (Foreword), Rachel da Silveira Gorman (Afterword)

Disability Politics and Theory, a historical exploration of the concept of disability, covers the late nineteenth century to the present, introducing the main models of disability theory and eugenics, medicalization, rehabilitation, charity, rights, social and disability justice. A.J. Withers examines when, how and why new categories of disability are created and describes how capitalism benefits from and enforces disabled people’s oppression. Critiquing the currently dominant social model of disability, this book offers an alternative. The radical framework Withers puts forward draws from schools of radical thought, particularly feminism and critical race theory, to emphasize the role of interlocking oppressions in the marginalization of disabled people and the importance of addressing disability both independently and in conjunction with other oppressions. Intertwining theoretical and historical analysis with personal experience, this book is a poignant portrayal of disabled people in Canada and the U.S. — and a call for social and economic justice.

This revised and expanded edition includes a new chapter on the rehabilitation model, expands the discussion of eugenics, and adds the context the growth of the disability justice movement, Black Lives Matter, calls for defunding the police, decolonial and Indigenous land protection struggles, and the COVID-19 pandemic

Genres: Disability, Nonfiction, Disability Studies, Politics, Theory, Social Justice, School

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Stephanie Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good general overview of disability studies and the various theoretical models associated with disability. The chapter on the charity model was particularly interesting to me, and I probably learned more new things from that chapter than from the rest of the book. Much of the book seemed overly coloured by the author's opinions, especially since (as I found out after a little outside research) Withers holds pretty firmly anti-psychiatry views.

Here my own bias shows: As a person with a mental health disability, I find the anti-psychiatry movement's valid critiques of the current model of mental health care to be overshadowed by its incredibly condescending and intellectually dishonest attitudes, as well as the hard-line position that some of its proponents take on the use of psychiatric medication.

Anyway, writing a book biased towards one's own views is hardly rare or even necessarily a bad thing, but I don't appreciate it when the book is supposed to be an introduction to an entire field of study. (I find this particularly irritating in this case, as this book was assigned as a textbook in my introduction to disability studies class.)

Bottom line: worth reading, but take it with a grain of salt. Do your own research. And for the love of god, don't start going around calling people with mental illnesses "psychiatrized". (Seriously.)

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and most accessible books into disability theory out there. Written by someone who was initially barred from post-secondary for being "too disabled" to their book being used across the board as mandatory textbook material, it serves it's purpose to introduce the theories behind ableism within our society with great poise, depth and flow that neither reads too densely, nor ignores details.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introductory, a bit dated, some weak points, but overall a good read.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to the subject of disability studies, I personally found it to be informative at the same time as being a refreshingly easy read. For that reason would highly recommend this book to anyone with no previous knowledge of the subject.

While I agree with other reviewers that this book is interspersed with the author’s opinion, I still found it an enlightening and provoking introduction to the subject and it has given me food for thought in terms of further reading.

I particularly liked the authors closing sentiment that “everyone has needs but disabled people’s needs are seen as exceptional.” The prevailing message of the book being that disability versus ability or normal versus abnormal is all in the eye of the beholder. Admitting that it is that argument that will stick with me feels embarrassingly sentimental and almost clichéd.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a one of the textbooks that I am required to read for my Disability Studies university course, and because of that I can't really say I enjoyed reading it. I had a hard time distinguishing between the authors opinions and the models of disability that WIthers presented. HOWEVER, i can say that I learned a lot about how disability really can be a social construct, and it really is a matter of perspective. I'm thankful for this book because it has given me a more rounded view on this issue, and will make me think differently about it as I go through life.

[Sinthu Srikanthan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reviews the various frameworks for understanding disability that have been dominant in the Western world. To me, what stuck out from reading this book is the fact that elements of past theories that have largely become an impasse continue to manifest themselves today. I found the discussion on eugenics to be compelling - what does it say about how we value disabled people when we, as a society, do not prioritize providing disabled people with income and social supports - rather, we invest big $$$ on research to eliminate the disability? food for thought

[Scott Neigh]

Reviewed here.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible and comprehensive introduction to disability politics and theory.