“What is Disability Studies?”

“Disability Studies recognizes that disability is a key aspect of human experience, and that the study of disability has important political, social, and economic implications for society as a whole, including both disabled and nondisabled people.”

Society for Disability Studies

This academic field:

  • Explores the meaning and nature of disabilities in medical and social contexts
  • Focuses on the lived experiences of disabled people, rather than on what non-disabled people say and think about disabled people
  • Is very interdisciplinary; draws on fields such as history, law, health studies, and more