THE DISABILITY RIGHTS THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT: FROM MOVEMENT: FROM

CHARITY TO CHARITY TO CONFRONTATIONCONFRONTATION

A book review by James BeachA book review by James Beach

November 9, 2006November 9, 2006

Information About the BookInformation About the Book

Written by Doris Zames Fleischer and Written by Doris Zames Fleischer and Frieda Zames.Frieda Zames.Frieda is a polio survivor.Frieda is a polio survivor.The authors are sisters and have been long The authors are sisters and have been long

time activists for people with disabilities.time activists for people with disabilities.Published by Temple University Press in Published by Temple University Press in

2000.2000.

Book SummaryBook Summary

The book is a reflection of the journey The book is a reflection of the journey people with disabilities have traveled people with disabilities have traveled throughout history.throughout history.

The authors conducted many interviews The authors conducted many interviews and much other research to compile a and much other research to compile a bank of the most influential moments of bank of the most influential moments of the development of rights for people with the development of rights for people with disabilities. disabilities.

High PointsHigh Points The rights for people with disabilities movement started much earlier The rights for people with disabilities movement started much earlier

than could be expected. For people just entering the field this is a than could be expected. For people just entering the field this is a key example of how prevalent people with disabilities have been in key example of how prevalent people with disabilities have been in our history and how far they have come in their desire for equity.our history and how far they have come in their desire for equity.

There are major philosophical differences even between There are major philosophical differences even between organizations advocating rights for people with disabilities. This organizations advocating rights for people with disabilities. This presents some challenges for groups fighting for the same cause presents some challenges for groups fighting for the same cause but have different foundational beliefs. This truly shows the broad but have different foundational beliefs. This truly shows the broad array of how disabilities’ effects on individuals are tailored by how array of how disabilities’ effects on individuals are tailored by how the disability has affected that person.the disability has affected that person.

Mental disabilities are addressed in addition to only physical ones. Mental disabilities are addressed in addition to only physical ones. Often when we hear the term “disabled” we clearly think of extreme Often when we hear the term “disabled” we clearly think of extreme physical disabilities. This is clearly not always the case. physical disabilities. This is clearly not always the case.

The journey has run parallel with that of the timeline of American The journey has run parallel with that of the timeline of American history. It is interesting to see how the battle for equity has followed history. It is interesting to see how the battle for equity has followed our nation’s battles and other civil causes. our nation’s battles and other civil causes.

RelevanceRelevance

This book is important for people who do not This book is important for people who do not have a disability but desire some insight into the have a disability but desire some insight into the plight of those people who do have a disability. plight of those people who do have a disability.

It can also be used as a tool for someone It can also be used as a tool for someone recently diagnosed with a disability or just recently diagnosed with a disability or just coming to terms with their disability. It can be coming to terms with their disability. It can be helpful in seeing there are many people who helpful in seeing there are many people who have gone through, and overcome, a multitude have gone through, and overcome, a multitude of disabilities. of disabilities.

Importance to EducatorsImportance to Educators

A firm history of the evolution of the movement A firm history of the evolution of the movement for equity for people with disabilities is crucial for for equity for people with disabilities is crucial for people entering this field.people entering this field.

This comprehensive overview of the history will This comprehensive overview of the history will allow educators assist students and family allow educators assist students and family members as they progress in the stages of members as they progress in the stages of acceptance after the diagnosis. Particularly acceptance after the diagnosis. Particularly when they are in the bargaining stage as when they are in the bargaining stage as indicated by Kubler-Ross and described in our indicated by Kubler-Ross and described in our text book (Lerner and Kline, 2006, p. 153).text book (Lerner and Kline, 2006, p. 153).

ReferencesReferences

Lerner, J. & Kline, F. (2006). Lerner, J. & Kline, F. (2006). Learning Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders: Disabilities and Related Disorders: Characteristics and Teaching StrategiesCharacteristics and Teaching Strategies. . Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Fleischer, D.Z. & Zames, F. (2001). The Fleischer, D.Z. & Zames, F. (2001). The Disability Rights Movement: From Charity Disability Rights Movement: From Charity to Confrontation. Philadelphia, PA: Temple to Confrontation. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.University Press.