Disability and Social Policy in Britain since 1750

'An essential read for everyone with an interest in disability, disabled people and social policy generally.' - Colin Barnes, University of Leeds 'A valuable resource.' - Mike Oliver, University of Greenwich 'In this highly readable, thought-provoking, and scholarly book Anne Borsay brings together her longstanding and well documented interests in disabled people, social policy and the history of medicine to engage and confront the reader with a persuasive chronicle of the profound influences which underpin contemporary assumptions about, and perceptions of, disabled people...It should be a source of reference and an enlightening read for every practising occupational health professional.' - Mansel Aylward, Occupational Medicine Journal

Disability and Social Policy in Britain since 1750 explores experiences of physical and mental impairment in Britain since the Industrial Revolution. The book's starting point is the exclusion of disabled people from the full rights of citizenship because of their marginality to the labour market.This approachable study explores experiences of physical and mental impairment in Britain since the Industrial Revolution. Using literary, visual, and oral sources to complement documentary evidence, Anne Borsay pays particular attention to the testimonies of disabled people.

Disability and Social Policy in Britain since 1750:
- places disability policies within their historical context
- examines citizenship and social exclusion from a historical perspective
- sketches the key characteristics of modern industrial societies
- focuses on the shifting mixed economy of welfare, the development of social rights and the construction of identity
- assesses institutional living in workhouses, hospitals, asylums, and schools
- appraises community living with reference to employment, financial relief and community care
- reviews social policies post-1979

Borsay argues that disabled people were excluded from the full rights of citizenship because they were marginal to the labour market and suggests that history may play a role in raising personal and political consciousness. Containing illustrations, and clearly structured, this book is an ideal guide for all those with an interest in the history of disability and social policies.