Understanding Disability: Inclusion, Access, Diversity, and Civil Rights

by Paul T. Jaeger, Cynthia Ann Bowman

Disability is rarely considered a social issue. Scholars tend to discuss it in the abstract; medical personnel view it as a health issue; and legal concerns for the disabled focus on how to advocate or protect organizations against demands for accommodation. As a result, disabled individuals are seen as bits and pieces of everyone's constituency but their own. The writers of this work, both having long personal experiences with disabilities, offer a holistic understanding of the lives of disabled individuals from representations in the media to issues of civil rights.

Written to educate and inform readers about the social roles of disability, this accessible and informative work social classifications of disability; social reactions to disability; legal rights and classifications of persons with disabilities; issues of accessibility to information and communication technologies; representations of disability in a range of media, including literature, painting, film, televsion and advertising; and major issues shaping the comtemporary social roles of persons with disabilities. By examining the social roles of disability in the past and present from a range of perspectives and disciplines, this book reveals a portrait of the social place, limitations, and rights of persons with disabilities.

Genres: Nonfiction, Disability

184 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2000

Reviews

[J.L. Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and enlightening book about disability history, accessibility, and how disability connects to social elements and other aspects of diversity. Definitely well researched while also being very readable and engaging (if sometimes horrifying). A bit outdated now for sure, especially anything to do with technology, but still some great background and thought. There were moments I also wish it would have gone in a bit more depth and explained more about the points it was making, but overall, I'm glad to have read this and really think it's a useful one for anyone interested in disability studies.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) This book is over 10 years old at this point, and feels it.

2) I get the feeling that the authors help or teach children with disabilities but don't know the lived experience of having a disability. I say that because it feels like they're talking about other people, not themselves, and that made this less emotionally satisfying than other books I've read on disability theory written by people with disabilities who explicitly talk about their experiences.

3) The writing felt more like a reference book than something you're supposed to read start to finish. It is exceedingly dry.

4) After a while I started skimming but did see one instance of ableist language by the authors. (calling people "idiotic" because they didn't understand something) Check yourself, eh.

I learned stuff and I could see this being useful to someone, but I also feel like 3 stars is being generous.