Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice

About this book

In this absorbing text by a leading writer and respected activist theory policy historical background and personal experience are combined to give readers a rich and illuminating picture of the key issues raised by disability. In the authors uniquely clear and lively narrative style the book explores: - The practical and political challenges that disablement presents - Theoretical understandings of disability - Disability law and the realities of policy implementation - Key points of contention for the disability movement This long-awaited new edition of a best-selling text includes new stories from the authors experience as well as sharply framed debate about the development of policy over the last decade and a half. Its expansive coverage includes discussion of welfare rehabilitation special education and normalization. This book is core reading for students of social work nursing health and applied social science taking modules in disability studies. Michael Oliver was the first Professor of Disability Studies in the United Kingdom and is Emeritus Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Greenwich UK. He is the author of the path-breaking The Politics of Disablement and Social Work with Disabled People (in its third edition co-authored with Bob Sapey).