Exploring Disability

Colin Barnes is Professor of Disability Studies in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds and Visiting Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Halmstad, SwedenGeof Mercer is a former Reader in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds.

"The key debates around disability are given a thorough airing in this revised edition of a widely used text"Times Educational Supplement "If students and teachers want one resource to assist in their exploration of disability studies, then this is it. It's up-to-date, comprehensive and coherent, outlining the key themes and issues in a readable way. No-one studying disability on an undergraduate, postgraduate or profession training course should be without it."Mike Oliver, Emeritus Professor, University of Greenwich"A deep commitment towards the rights of people with disabilities within the social model of disability shines throughout the entire book, and drives the reader in exploring disability theories with interest and passion."Angela Genova, University of Urbino"Exploring Disability is an important, up-to-date, critical and wide-ranging review of key issues that situates the debates and discussion within the growing literature on disability. Exploring Disability should be on the reading lists of many disability studies courses providing as it does the broad overview of where both the discipline and the movement are today. It is a must for academics, policy makers, researchers, and the disability movement."Marcia Rioux, York Institute for Health Research, Toronto

• AcknowledgementsPreface to the Second EditionChapter 1. Introduction: Analysing Disability Grass roots mobilisationSociological perspectivesA brief word on terminologyOverview of the book Chapter 2. Competing Models and Approaches Socio-historical perspectivesThe individual or medical model of disabilityLooking beyond individual solutionsThe social model of disabilityThe biopsychosocial model of disabilityReview Chapter 3. Sociological Approaches to Chronic Illness and Disability Functionalism, Parsons and the sick roleLabelling perspectives and stigmatisationNegotiated and interpretive accountsMedical and professional dominanceTowards a political economy of medicine and sicknessEmbodiment and post structuralismReview Chapter 4. Theories of Disability Welfarism and its discontentsTheories of disability and oppressionDisability and social divisionsPostmodernism: back to the future?Review Chapter 5. Social Exclusion and Disabling Barriers Disability policy and the welfare stateEducationFinancial circumstancesEmploymentBuilt environment, housing and transportLeisure and social participationReview Chapter 6. Routes to Independent Living The critique of residential institutionsPolicy direction towards independenceCare or independence?User led organisations centres for independent livingDirect paymentsService user involvementReview Chapter 7. Politics and Disability Politics Politics and disabled peopleCivil rights and legislationA new social movement?Identity politicsReview Chapter 8. Culture, the Media and Identity Sociological approaches to cultureCultural representations of disabilityCultural studies approachesTowards a disability cultureReview Chapter 9. Disability and the Right to Life Ethics, culture and rightsDisability and EugenicsDisability and biotechnologyLife and death decisionsReview Chapter 10. Disability and Development: Global Perspectives Disability, industrialisation and globalizationComparative perspectives on impairmentPoverty, disability and social exclusionInternationalization of disability policyDisability activism: mobilizing for change Review Bibliography