Disability and Other Human Questions

by Dan Goodley

DAN GOODLEY draws on two decades of research and writing and weaves personal stories, scholarly literature, social media and other cultural narratives together with concepts from the interdisciplinary field of disability studies. His argument is disability invites great insight into the wider project of understanding the human condition. Goodley argues that the study of disability is of great importance in its own right but also has much to offer us all in considering what it means to be human in the 21st Century. Chapters address questions such as 'who's allowed to be human?'; 'are human beings dependent?'; and 'what does it mean to be human in the digital age?' and respond to these questions in ways that get us thinking about how we might productively engage with, listen to and understand one another.

168 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2020

Reviews

[Kat Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant.

I'm a disabled (multiply neurodivergent) mum to disabled children (neurodivergent and genetic conditions). I'm also one of the directors of Autistic UK (a DPO). I'm also currently writing my PhD proposal regarding the inequality in access to healthcare for Autistic people and its links to poorer outcomes. Therefore, I've already got a strong interest in disability writing and research.

That said, this book is perfect for those who are perhaps a little curious about disability. Who have maybe started thinking more about it during this pandemic, with 'long COVID' lurking around every corner. I also think it would be great to throw at the heads of every ableist person I come across - including the Tory cabinet - though at fewer than 150 pages (but definitely more than the 0 listed by Goodreads) it's not likely to do much physical damage. Some may pick it up, read it, and start viewing us as human though, so it's still worth a go.