Ronald Berger provides students with a comprehensive, accessible introduction to the key themes and controversies in disability studies. This innovative textbook: ¿ provides historical context, from ancient times to the present ¿ traces disability¿s impact throughout the life course ¿ gives prominence to the voices of people with disabilities ¿ explores popular culture¿s role in distorting ideas about disability ¿ addresses emerging ethical issues, such as the implications of genetic selection Illustrating the profound consequences of differing conceptions of physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments, Berger provides a solid foundation for making sense of disability as a social phenomenon.