Constructions of Disability (ePub)

"Constructions of Disability" discusses the meanings of 'inclusion' through an exploration of the interactions between non-disabled and disabled people at a community leisure center. In exploring the nature of this interface, the book takes a very different approach of that of existing texts, which have tended to concentrate solely on disabled people's experiences of exclusion.
The author herself is disabled and in the book she deconstructs her own identity as a researcher to show the range of disabling and inclusive practice that results from her interactions with non-disabled people. She also looks at oppressive practice towards women and people from minority ethnic groups, drawing parallels between their experiences.
No prior experience of disability issues is expected of the reader. Instead, the book's content is organized so that early chapters address relationship issues of which it is expected both mainstream and specialist audiences will have experience, such as being a researcher, a colleague or a friend. As familiarity with the issues increases, so the book progresses to address more specialist areas of experience, including being a disabled person and being an activist.
"Constructions of Disability" is unusual in its field and shows that bringing about more inclusive practice is about changing attitudes as well as adapting organizational policies and practices.