Call for Papers: Historical Perspectives on Disability and Work
We invite the submission of proposals for papers for a special issue of the Review of Disability Studies focusing on historical perspectives on disability and work from the 17th century through the post World War II era. Currently, scholarly information concerning the history of disability and employment is almost nonexistent. While cursory examination of employment issues may be included in discussions about past social movements and legislation, these discourses are secondary to the main subject matter. With few exceptions (studies on freak shows, for example) it appears that scholarly, historical pieces specifically about disabled people as workers are rare.
One must ask the question – why? Why the prevalence of charity models depicting disabled people as unemployable, relying on others for their means of survival? How did it become so commonly accepted that disabled people were considered incapable of gainful work? Might just the opposite hold true – that people with disabilities have always been an important part of workforces around the globe? And if this idea of incapacity is a myth, might this historical inaccuracy serve as a foundational component to the employment barriers that disabled people face today?
Contributors to this special issue will explore work/employment histories to create a collection that chronicles the diversified occupations of disabled people in different historical, cultural, socio-economic, and geographical contexts. We seek papers that explore the many factors effecting career choice for disabled people throughout modern history and analyze the importance of their work contributions to their communities. For example, what were the socio- economic predictors of career choice? Did socio-economic status matter? How did rural vs. urban economies, industrialization, and immigration influence work prospects for disabled people? What was the relevant historical legislation, and what was the significance of early vocational training programs, such as those within institutions and for veterans?
By seeking answers to these and other questions, this collection will address this under-represented aspect of disability history and its relevance to modern employment experiences. The editors will review all proposals submitted by April 30, 2010 and make a selection based on quality and relevance to the project's themes. Authors may choose non-blind editor review or blind peer review for their papers. Both established and emerging scholars are encouraged to submit proposals.
Full manuscripts (no more than 4500 words, including references) of accepted proposals will be due by July 31, 2010.
Please submit a 300-500 word abstract by April 30, 2010. Authors will be notified of acceptance before May 31st. Queries and/or completed proposals (in a Word document) should be sent to Stephanie Patterson (contact information below.) *** Acceptance of proposal and submission of paper does not guarantee a publish in RDS.
The Co-Editors for the collection are:
Stephanie Patterson, MA
Clinical Assistant Professor
Stony Brook University
School of Health Technology and Management/Disability Studies Concentration HSC/Room 2-450 Stony Brook, New York 11794-8200
631.444.6499 (phone) 631.444.1515 (fax) stephanie.patterson@stonybrook.edu
Pamela Block, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Stony Brook University
Occupational Therapy, School of Health Technology & Management Stony Brook, New York 11794-8206
631-444-3197 (phone) 631-444-6305(fax)
Pamela.Block@stonybrook.edu
(h/t H-DISABILITY)
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