Disability Studies
Simi Linton (1998) begins Claiming Disability with reclamation of the social construction of disability and the field of disability studies; “[d]isability studies has emerged as a logical base for examination of the construction and function of ‘disability’” (p. 2). The disability studies perspective includes a critique of the traditional medicalized views of disability found in rehabilitative fields, special education, medicine, film, literature, and the current assumptions and stereotypes held by the dominant culture. Disability studies works to problematize the concepts of normalcy, assumptions of inadequacy or deficiency and practices of segregation, and attempts to centralize individuals with disabilities as a political identity, oppressed group, and cultural constituency.
Rather than focusing on the simplistic view of disability as ineptitude, abnormality, or a solely a personal impairment, disability studies attempts to reassign the meaning of disability to include an identity marker, a complex interaction between embodiment and environment (not only physical environment, but economic, socio-cultural, and political environments as well), and an oppressed minority group impacted by ableist assumptions and policies of the dominant culture.
For more information on disability studies and inclusion visit the following links:
Disability Studies Books
In addition to scholarly articles regarding disability studies, several books are available which address topics of normalcy, the embodiment of disability, social constructions of disability, and critical pedagogy. To read more about these and more topics click here:
read more...Disability Studies Articles
Disability studies scholarly work adds a critical perspective to traditional special education and embraces the philosophy of inclusive education, in addition to inclusive communities. To read more articles regarding disability studies click here: read more...