A Disability History of the United States by Nielson

Abstract

Kim Nielsen’s analysis inA Disability History of the United States intertwines race, class, gender, socio-economic status, gender, sex, sexuality and citizenship in the historically nebulous concept of disability within the framework of US history. She does this from the perspective of a historian, educator, mother and advocate. Nielsen successfully avoids the use of academic and educational jargon that often scares away casual readers. Instead she offers a chronological history of descriptive stories sharing the pain, triumph, joy, struggle, and progress of individuals who live with an intellectual, physical, or psychological disability within the context of the American story. In short, this book should be required reading for educators who advocate for others with a disability...