Policy Press
Eleven Disability: prospects for social inclusion
Abstract
This chapter looks at Peter’s landmark contribution to the sociological understanding of disability and, through his campaigning, to the acceptance of disability rights as a focus for social policy and grass-roots campaigning. It examines the paradox of why someone who shared so many of its values and influenced many of its ideas is not celebrated in the academic discipline of disability studies. It assesses the extent to which the campaign for disability rights has been successful (not least through equality legislation and improved benefits). It observes that however, the Disability Studies movement feels that this has been at the expense of the cause itself, which has been usurped by the professionalisation of disability rights. It finally considers recent research that confirms the messages behind the Disability Alliance campaign for a disability income, that, in the 21st century, families who experience disability are more likely to be poor and disability is more often found in poor families.
Abstract
This chapter looks at Peter’s landmark contribution to the sociological understanding of disability and, through his campaigning, to the acceptance of disability rights as a focus for social policy and grass-roots campaigning. It examines the paradox of why someone who shared so many of its values and influenced many of its ideas is not celebrated in the academic discipline of disability studies. It assesses the extent to which the campaign for disability rights has been successful (not least through equality legislation and improved benefits). It observes that however, the Disability Studies movement feels that this has been at the expense of the cause itself, which has been usurped by the professionalisation of disability rights. It finally considers recent research that confirms the messages behind the Disability Alliance campaign for a disability income, that, in the 21st century, families who experience disability are more likely to be poor and disability is more often found in poor families.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Preface viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- The legacy of Peter Townsend 1
- The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story 29
- Peter Townsend, a man ahead of his time: re-reading The family life of old people and The last refuge 59
- The case for universal child benefit 79
- Poverty 91
- Social justice for children: investigating and eradicating child poverty 111
- For universalism and against the means test 133
- Underclass, overclass, ruling class, supernova class 153
- Addressing health inequalities: building on Peter Townsend’s legacy 175
- Towards a new sociology of ageing: from structured dependency to critical gerontology 193
- Disability: prospects for social inclusion 223
- Putting the lawyers in their place: the role of human rights in the struggle against poverty 241
- Radicalising social policy in the 21st century: a global approach 257
- Conclusion: building on the legacy of Peter Townsend 275
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Preface viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- The legacy of Peter Townsend 1
- The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story 29
- Peter Townsend, a man ahead of his time: re-reading The family life of old people and The last refuge 59
- The case for universal child benefit 79
- Poverty 91
- Social justice for children: investigating and eradicating child poverty 111
- For universalism and against the means test 133
- Underclass, overclass, ruling class, supernova class 153
- Addressing health inequalities: building on Peter Townsend’s legacy 175
- Towards a new sociology of ageing: from structured dependency to critical gerontology 193
- Disability: prospects for social inclusion 223
- Putting the lawyers in their place: the role of human rights in the struggle against poverty 241
- Radicalising social policy in the 21st century: a global approach 257
- Conclusion: building on the legacy of Peter Townsend 275
- Index 303
