Society for Disability Studies

Society for Disability Studies (SDS) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the study of disability in social, cultural, and political contexts. Through research, artistic production, teaching and activism, the SDS seeks to augment understanding of disability in all cultures and historical periods, and to promote the rights and social inclusion of people with disabilities.

History

The Society for Disability Studies was founded in 1982, with the aim of promoting the academic study of disability and to challenge the marginalization and stigmatization of people with disabilities. The organization has since grown to include members from a wide range of disciplines and professions, including scholars, artists, activists, and others interested in disability studies.

Mission

The mission of the SDS is to promote the development of disability studies as a field of inquiry, to facilitate exchange among scholars and activists in the field, and to promote the rights and social inclusion of people with disabilities. The organization seeks to challenge traditional, medicalized notions of disability, and to promote an understanding of disability as a social, cultural, and political phenomenon.

Activities

The SDS organizes an annual conference, publishes a peer-reviewed journal, and provides resources and support for scholars and activists in the field of disability studies. The annual conference is a key event in the field, providing a forum for the presentation of new research, the exchange of ideas, and the development of collaborative projects.

The SDS's journal, Disability Studies Quarterly (DSQ), is the first peer-reviewed journal in the field of disability studies. It publishes research articles, essays, and creative works that explore the diverse experiences of disability from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

Membership

Membership in the SDS is open to anyone interested in disability studies. Members receive a subscription to DSQ, discounted registration for the annual conference, and access to a range of resources and networking opportunities.

See also

• Disability studies
• Disability rights movement
• Social model of disability

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