Published in Association with The Open University

1 total work

Disabling Barriers, Enabling Environments

by Professor John Swain, Sally French, Lecturer School of Chemical Sciences Colin Barnes, and Dr Carol Thomas

Published 30 December 1992

`An explicit and detailed breakdown, from the perspective of participants, of why disabled people are engaged in a revolution - a revolution to break down barriers of attitude and the environment.... I am sure it will have a place of honour in the increasing list of disability literature' - Journal of Social Policy

The major theme of this accessible and engaging text is that `disability' is caused by the way society is organized. The contributors demonstrate the many ways in which disabled people have taken the initiative in reshaping both the meaning of disability and the services and support available to them. The notion that disability is either a medical condition or a `personal tragedy' is strongly challenged, and the marginalized position of black disabled people and disabled women is also addressed. Focusing on the barriers which disabled people encounter in education, housing, leisure and employment, this book critically reviews professional practice and describes alternative models of support which give disabled people control over their own lives.

Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments is the Course Reader on the Open University course The Disabling Society (K665).