Understanding Disability

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 author's uniquely clear and lively narrative style, the book explores:the practical and political challenges that disablement presentstheoretical understandings of disabilitydisability law and the realities of policy implementationkey points of contention for the disability movementThis long-awaited new edition of a best-selling text includes new stories from the author's experience, as well as sharply framed debate aboutthe 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, healthand 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).