Liberating the Disabled Identity

Liberating the Disabled Identity combines a qualitativeresearch project, which taps into disabled people\\\'s identitynarratives, with a critical historical analysis of the creation ofthe disabled identity in the modern era. The narratives speak withstrength, dignity, clarity and imagination about the experience ofliving in a world which privileges those whose bodies look andperform in certain ways, and they benefit from being embedded in aFoucaultian, genealogical framework which historicises andcontextualises them. Indeed, it is the insertion of realpeople\\\'s stories into poststructural theory which makes theresearch and this book unique. The book is geared towards students,teachers, theorists and researchers in the fields of sociology anddisability studies. It also provides invaluable insights forprofessionals who are working or being trained to work withdisabled people because it addresses the central issues whichaffect disabled people\\\'s lives and self-perceptions. And,ultimately, it is hoped that this book will be accessible todisabled people who seek to better understand the social processeswhich underlie their identity losses and how to overcomethem.