Controversial Issues In A Disabling Society

Series editor's preface
Introduction
enabling questions

Part one: Foundations

What's in a name?
Whose model?
What is Disability Studies?

Part two: Values and ideologies

Controlling life?
A dividing society?
Celebrating difference?
What's so good about independence?
Will you put your hand in your pocket?
Whose body?

Part three: Policy, provision and practice

Policy
is inclusion better than integration?
Provision
who needs special needs?
Practice
are professionals parasites?
Policy, provision and practice
care or control?
Politics
where does change come from?
Conclusion
enabling or disabling globalisation?
Bibliography
Index.

At its best Disability Studies is an arena of critical debate addressing controversial issues concerning, not just the meaning of disability, but the nature of society, dominant values, quality of life, and even the right to live. Indeed, Disability Studies is itself the subject of controversy, in terms of its theoretical basis and who controls courses and research and whether it should be shaped and controlled by disabled academics or grassroots activists. Within these debates, generated by the social model of disability, are fundamental challenges to policy, provision and professional practice that are directly relevant to all who work with disabled people, whether in the field of social work, health or education.

Controversial Issues in a Disabling Society has been written specifically to raise questions and stimulate debate. It has been designed for use with students in group discussion, and to support in-depth study on a variety of professional courses. It covers a wide range of specific, substantive issues within Disability Studies in a series of succinct chapters. Each chapter sets a question for debate, places the key issues in context and presents a particular argument. This is an accessible and engaging book which challenges dominant positions and ideologies from a social model viewpoint of disability.