Collection Spotlight: Disability in the Modern World

by Giovanna Colosi, Librarian for the School of Education, Subject Instruction Team Lead

The Disability in the Modern World database is useful for anyone studying disability studies or related fields. It has a wide array of primary source material and scholarly works that showcases the disability rights movement, how disability is portrayed in culture and real-life experiences of disabled individuals.

Key Features of the Database:

• Primary Sources: The database includes letters, diaries, manuscripts, photographs and other archival materials that capture firsthand accounts of the disability experience. These primary sources provide historical and personal perspectives, offering a glimpse into the lives of disabled individuals throughout history.
• Activist Writings: It also features writings from key figures in the disability rights movement, highlighting the activism that has been instrumental in securing legal and social recognition of disability rights. It includes speeches, essays and other works from leaders such as Ed Roberts, Judy Heumann and other trailblazers in the movement.
• Academic Studies: For those conducting scholarly research, the database offers a collection of academic articles and dissertations that engage with disability as a social, cultural and political construct. It’s an essential resource for understanding how disability intersects with race, gender, sexuality and other identities.

How to Use the Database to Find Diverse Perspectives:

• Search by Author: The Disability in the Modern World database allows you to search for works by prominent disabled authors and activists. For example, you can search for writings by pioneers such as Harriet McBryde Johnson, who was a disability rights lawyer and activist, or Laura Hershey, who was a poet and advocate.
• Filter by Topic: Use the database’s filters to narrow your search by topic. For instance, you can focus on areas such as disability rights, social justice, mental health or education to find works that explore how disability intersects with broader societal issues.
• Browse Themes: The database also features curated thematic collections on topics like "Disability and Race" or "Disability and Gender." These themes provide a structured way to engage with intersectional approaches to disability, allowing researchers to explore how disability impacts and is impacted by other social identities.

To provide feedback or suggest a title to add to the collection, please complete the Resource Feedback Form.

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