Disability/postmodernity: Embodying Disability Theory Shakespeare, Tom and Corker, Mairian

With contributions from leading scholars in the USA, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, India, Australia and Jordan, this text looks at the study of disablity within the context of the "postmodern" world of the 21st century. Organized into three sections, the volume opens with an exploration of theoretical perspectives, looking especially at phenomenology, the body and at concepts of difference and identity. The second section deals with culture, discussing aesthetics, narrative, film, architecture and design; while the final section explores social practice with papers discussing issues which include disabled children's perspectives (which dominate the US approach). The authors aim to demystify the concept of postmodernity and to suggest ways in which it fosters a holistic approach to the study of disability that better represents and reflects the complexity of disabled people's experiences.

Tom Shakespeare is Reader in sociology at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and Mairian Corker is Lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies at the University of Central Lancashire.