Product Description

Over the last thirty years, the field of disability studies has emerged from the political activism of disabled people. In this challenging review of the field, leading disability academic and activist Tom Shakespeare argues that the social model theory has reached a dead end.

Drawing on a critical realist perspective, Shakespeare promotes a pluralist, engaged and nuanced approach to disability. Key topics discussed include:

• dichotomies - the dangerous polarizations of medical model versus social model, impairment versus disability and disabled people versus non-disabled people


• identity - the drawbacks of the disability movement's emphasis on identity politics


• bioethics in disability - choices at the beginning and end of life and in the field of genetic and stem cell therapies


• care and social relationships - questions of intimacy and friendship.

This stimulating and accessible book challenges orthodoxies in British disability studies, promoting a new conceptualization of disability and fresh research agenda. It is an invaluable resource for researchers and students in disability studies and sociology, as well as professionals, policy makers and activists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #854306 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review

Tom Shakespeare has produced a work of mature scholarship that advances our thinking about the fundamental issues in Disability Studies. The clarity and balance of his argument challenges others to raise the level of discourse in the field. Disability Rights and Wrongs is a must read. - Gary L. Albrecht, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA

In his characteristically polemical and thought-provoking style, Tom Shakespeare presents a call to arms against the British social model of disability. Love it or loathe it, there is much in this book to stimulate debate in disability studies and the wider social science community. The reader is taken into familiar territory as well as into areas little explored in disability studies to date. Challenges are thrown up at every turn. Do Shakespeare’s arguments hold up? You be the judge. - Carol Thomas, Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, UK

Galileo was roundly condemned for daring to question the orthodoxy of the day, even though he was right. Tom Shakespeare also challenges orthodoxy concerning disability theory and studies. No cow is sacred and as a result this book will be controversial. But his arguments demand consideration and deep thought. If you read only one book on disability rights this year, make this the book. - Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission, UK

A most welcomed textbook within disability studies … I find [Tom’s] writings most stimulating. Would be valuable reading for students and teachers in universities. - Lars Grue, Norwegian Social Research

An important selling point is its systematic challenges to orthodox (radical) thinking on disability. Given Tom Shakespeare’s high international profile the book will be welcomed by audiences of many kinds … he has a unique position as a radical disabled activist who is confident and intellectually able to challenge conventional wisdom on key disability issues. - Linda Ward, Norah Fry Research Centre, Bristol

Going on the author’s past record, it has the potential to be excellent. The author could reorder sections 2 and 3 around ‘the changing experiences of disability throughout the lifecourse’. The proposal has the potential to break new ground … would be extremely valuable … will challenge the traditional medical/social divide in disability studies. - Claire Tregaskis, University of Sheffield

I strongly support the publication of this book. Tom Shakespeare has an international reputation for his work in disability studies. … a sometimes controversial thinker … makes his writing particularly stimulating and thought-provoking. The issues are all absolutely central to current debates in the field of disability studies. I’m sure it will be a big success. - Sheila Riddell, Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research

this is an accessibly written book that will make a useful and up to date additional citation for students of disability studies who are evaluating controversial debates. - Alison Sheldon, Centre for Disability Studies

The book challenges us to re-thinkand re-consider the current ways of understanding disability studies in the UK. The author takes a fresh look at many of the issues at the top of the agenda in disability today and invites to an intellectual debate. This book should therefore be appreciated by everyone who wants to engage with disability and impairment. I welcome this book as an important contribution to the international forum on disability. -Rannveig Traustadottir Centre for Disability Studies University of Iceland

This book is written in clear and accessible language and complex issues are presented in a manner that makes the book available to a wide range of audience including disabled people and their families, policy makers, professionals and other working with disabled people, as well as academics. - Rannveig Traustadottir Centre for Disability Studies University of Iceland

This book is a must for anyone interested in the current debates around disability and impairment.- Rannveig Traustadottir Centre for Disability Studies University of Iceland

This thought-provoking and interesting book challenges conventional views in relation to disability studies...a valuable resource to students of disability studies, practitioners as well as other professionals who work with disabled people. - Angela Clarke, Therapy Today

About the Author
Newcastle University, UK