Disability Studies in India

Since the 1970s the international disability rights movement the United Nations and national governments across the world have attempted to ameliorate the status of the disabled population through a range of legislative and policy measures primarily in the areas of health education employment accessible environments and social security. While the discourse in the disability sector in India has shifted from charity and welfare to human rights and entitlements disability studies â as an interdisciplinary academic terrain that focuses on the contributions experiences history and culture of persons with disabilities â has not yet taken root. This volume collates some of the most recent pioneering work on disability studies from across the country. The essays presented here engage with the concept of disability from a variety of disciplinary positions sociocultural contexts and subjective experiences within the overarching framework of the Indian reality. The contributors â including some with disabilities themselves â provide a well-rounded perspective in shifting focus from disability as a medical condition only needing clinical intervention to giving it due social and academic legitimacy. This book outlines key issues that would be germane to any disability studies endeavour in India and South Asia and will appeal to academics activists institutions laypersons and professionals involved in social welfare sociology disability studies womenâs studies psychiatry rehabilitation and social and preventive medicine. . Language: English