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Studying Disability
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Studying Disability
Multiple Theories and Responses



September 2010 | 264 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Presenting a fully integrative text covering disability from a variety of disciplines, this innovative book first reviews existing theories, then sets forth a new viewpoint that incorporates elements from disability studies, sociology, human services, rehabilitation counseling, and public health.

Authors Elizabeth DePoy and Stephen French Gilson explore the history of disability with a focus on both Western and non-Western cultures, examine the historical conceptions of disability and how they have affected the lives and civil rights of the disabled, and explore a wide range of both classic and new and emerging theories. The book concludes with a section on application of theory to practice and policy in the professional and public realm and the recommendation of a socially just community for the full range of disabled individuals.

 
PART I: FOUNDATIONS
 
1. Foundations
 
2. Looking Back: Ancient Greece Through the 19th Century
 
3. Disability in the 20th and 21st Centuries-Medical Condition, Construction or Commodity
 
PART II: DESCRIPTION AND EXPLANATION: BUILDING ON EXPLANATORY LEGITIMACY
 
4. The Descriptive Element of Explanatory Legitimacy
 
5. Explanations Introduced
 
6. Longitudinal Explanations
 
7. Environmental Explanations
 
8. Categorical Explanations
 
9. Systems Explanations
 
10. Contemporary and Emerging Explanations
 
PART III: LEGITIMACY
 
11. Legitimacy-What is it?
 
12. Who is a Legitimate Category Member
 
13. Legitimate Humanities Responses
 
14. Legitimate Social Science Responses
 
15. Legitimate Professional Responses
 
PART IV: FASHIONING COMMUNITIES
 
16. Integrative Academic-Professional Stance Through Disjuncture Theory
 
17. A Social Justice Model of Community Legitimacy: Creating Human-Environment Juncture
 
References
 
About the Authors

This would be an appropriate book for first year Disability Studies students as it provides a good, easily accessible introduction to various themes within the subject.

I felt that the historical overviews provided would really help to get the students to understand where modern ideas of disability are formed from.

There are some good insights from various subjects, however, I felt body size could have been included more.

Dr Erin Pritchard
Dept of Social Sciences, Liverpool Hope University
June 29, 2020

A good text giving an insight into the history of disability. Will certainly help to develop the understanding and knowledge of the students.

Mrs Karen James
Care, Coleg Sir Gar
November 14, 2012

The book will be used as supplemental reading next time my course Disability and Society is offered. I will suggest to some students with particular interest in disability theory that they buy the book and use it for their final projects.

Mr Snaefridur Egilson
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Akureyri
November 12, 2012

Disability issues are now an issue that is growing in magnitude and affects a broader spectrum of society that it has in almost a century. This is no more true than in the need to understand disability - expressly the needs of disabled folks and how to better reach and reach out to them.
Unfortunately in both the private and public sectors of our nation too many people lack the knowledge and insight necessary to not only understand people with disabilities, but also how to glean from them and utilize them in a positive and useful manner.
This book is a benchmark in education for people and providing necessary facts and information needed to perceive this societal circumstance and take appropriate actions.
Studying Disability opens the doors of knowledge and the intrinsic needs of both the disabled and society. It provide solid advice and proposes social, ethical, and personal methods and actions to take. Just as our society is multidimensional and replete with diversity, this text calls attention to an important dimension that permeates our society and the many facets of public and religious conflicts facing the church. Theory is given in precise competent and understandable bits as the responses to social interactions are evaluated and expounded.
I recommend this book for faculty, students, leaders, and anyone desirous or in need of seeing the intricacies and difficulties surrounding this phenomena. It can only improve awareness and is guaranteed to at least provide gourmet food for thought.

Wesley B Rose, ThD, DD, PhD

Professor Wesley Rose
Early Christian History, Scripture Institute
December 13, 2011

I personally enjoyed this text. However, it's not for the faint hearted and will possibly only appeal to our academically stronger students

Miss Marion Aylott
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol
January 12, 2011

A fascinating book linking and exploring a range of theoretical standpoints from which disability can be understood.

Mrs Rachel Harrison
Interprofessional Studies, Winchester University
October 26, 2010

This book provides a different perspective to that offered by many other textbooks, with that it can potentially enhance and enrich the debate.

Dr Andrea Hollomotz
Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University
October 12, 2010

did not include sports orientation

Dr Karen Linstrum
Psychology Dept, Northwestern Oklahoma State University - Alva
September 1, 2010

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