Nigel Thomas is Head of Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University, UK, where his research focuses on the history, mainstreaming and media coverage of disability sport. He previously worked for ten years with young disabled people as a sports development officer in local authorities and national governing bodies.Andy Smith is a lecturer in the Sociology of Sport and Exercise at the University of Chester, UK. He is a co-editor of the International Journal of Sport Policy, and a co-author of Sports Development and Sports Policy in Society: An Introduction and An Introduction to Drugs in Sport: Addicted to Winning? Both books are published by Routledge (2009).

'Thomas and Smith have delivered a much-needed critical examination of the opportunities and challenges facing the modern Paralympic and disability sport movement. In the run-up to London 2012 this is a book that should be read by all students, academics, administrators and policy-makers with an interest in disability sport.' - Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson"There is a real need for this book. It provides a unique and valuable sociological analysis of disability sport."Karen P DePauw, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• 1. Disability theory and policy 2. The emergence and development of disability sport 3. Local authorities and disability sport development 4. Mainstreaming disability sport: a case study of four sports 5. Disability, physical education and school sport 6. Elite disability sport: the Paralympic Games 7. Disability sport and the media

Nigel Thomas is Head of Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University, UK, where his research focuses on the history, mainstreaming and media coverage of disability sport. He previously worked for ten years with young disabled people as a sports development officer in local authorities and national governing bodies.Andy Smith is a lecturer in the Sociology of Sport and Exercise at the University of Chester, UK. He is a co-editor of the International Journal of Sport Policy, and a co-author of Sports Development and Sports Policy in Society: An Introduction and An Introduction to Drugs in Sport: Addicted to Winning? Both books are published by Routledge (2009).

'Thomas and Smith have delivered a much-needed critical examination of the opportunities and challenges facing the modern Paralympic and disability sport movement. In the run-up to London 2012 this is a book that should be read by all students, academics, administrators and policy-makers with an interest in disability sport.' - Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson"There is a real need for this book. It provides a unique and valuable sociological analysis of disability sport."Karen P DePauw, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• 1. Disability theory and policy 2. The emergence and development of disability sport 3. Local authorities and disability sport development 4. Mainstreaming disability sport: a case study of four sports 5. Disability, physical education and school sport 6. Elite disability sport: the Paralympic Games 7. Disability sport and the media