Book Review

Title: The Disability Rights Movement: From Deinstitutionalization to Self-Determination

Author: Duane F. Stroman

Publisher: University Press of America, 2003

Cost: Paperback - $37.00 USD

Reviewer: Mike Clear

      The book The Disability Rights Movement: From Deinstitutionalization to Self-Determination by Duane F. Stroman sets out to describe the history of disability as a minority group model in the United States through the lens of what Stroman describes as Òmultiple perspectives within sociology.Ò  At the outset he provides a basic framework of some sociological concepts, analysis of medical and social models and traces the changing definitions of disability. Stroman frames his discussion as a journey of change from institutionalization to self-determination.
	The primary worth of this book is that it contains a wealth of valuable information, about the history of disability in the United States since the latter part of the nineteenth century, particularly since the 1950s. This history is a strong focus on changing issues of definition, rights, services and advocacy. It is a broad survey of change. 
	The book identifies the Òbeginning studentÓ as the audience and it is likely to be a useful text for senior high school and undergraduate students or others such as professionals or interested laity. The Disability Rights Movement: From Deinstitutionalization to Self-Determination is not, however, well written and although the use of tables to explicate a range of issues does assist, the format is dense and the writing mostly turgid. Sometimes the structuring of headings and sub- headings is not logical or conducive to an easy and accessible read. The broad survey approach lacks a quality of engagement at the personal and political level. The issues of self-determination and the journey of the disability rights movement is a powerful political history, yet reading StromanÕs work I was not connected with this. The profound injustices and the personal and social struggle for change that underwrite the achievements towards greater self-determination is more or less written out of his account.  Notwithstanding these criticisms, the book is a useful resource for students interested in the broad social history of disability in the United States.