Disability and Society: Ideological and Historical Dimensions explores the changing relationship between disability and society in Western culture from early modern times to the present, with a particular emphasis on Ireland.

Dr Patrick McDonnell identifies the main ideologies and practices that have shaped the relationship between disability and society, describes how these emerged over time, and discusses their continuing impact on social, political and cultural life today.

Rather than interpreting disability in medical or clinical terms, the author places disability in a broad historical and socio-political framework and links changing responses to disability with other important social, political and cultural movements. As well as being a valuable addition to the field of disability studies, Disability and Society is also essential reading for students of the social sciences, psychology, education, equality and health studies, and for policy makers.