Sociopolitical Aspects of Disabilities: The Social Perspectives and Political History of Disabilities and Rehabilitation in the United States

The social and political history of disabilities reveals some of the historical roots that anchor some of our current beliefs, attitudes and perceptions of disabilities and persons who possess disabilities. An understanding of the social and political history of disabilities in the United States is important for rehabilitation professionals and other helping professionals who work with persons with disabilities not only to understand how history affects our current attitudes and behavior but also to provide a perspective on how current events and actions that have produced the present state of affairs for persons with disabilities. This new edition continues the discussion of the evolution of societal attitudes toward persons with disabilities and explains how social attitudes impact social interactions which in turn create a need for political action to correct injustices and/or increase opportunities for persons with disabilities. Divided into two parts, the first part begins with an introduction to the relationship between social issues and political actions and continues with discussions on the foundation of beliefs and treatment of persons with disabilities, the oppressed, social environment, the advocates, the disability rights movements, and family roles. The second part explores the political history of disabilities, the Developmental Disabilities Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, as well as the inclusion of acts concerning professional training and continuing education, vocational rehabilitation, medical rehabilitation, economic assistance, deinstitutionalization and independent living, civil rights and advocacy, and the new eugenics. Review/discussion questions are included at the end of each chapter along with a Suggested Readings section. It will be useful as a primary or secondary text in vocational rehabilitation training programs, social work programs, nursing programs, occupational and physical therapy assistant programs, and human services programs.