Social Label Shifts explores the profound impact of language on perceptions of disability and its implications for social inclusion. It examines how disability labels are not merely descriptive, but powerful social constructs that influence both individual identities and societal structures.
The book highlights the cultural relativity of disability labels, demonstrating how terms like "disabled" or "handicapped" carry different connotations and social weight across various countries, affecting everything from stigma to the politics of identity.
The book provides a historical overview of disability conceptualizations, contrasting the medical, social, and human rights models. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a rights-based approach to language, respecting the dignity of individuals with disabilities.
Through comparative case studies and first-person narratives, the book analyzes how shifts in language impact self-perception and community participation, offering practical recommendations for promoting inclusive language in education, healthcare, and media.
The book unfolds in three parts, beginning with the theory of social labeling, then moving to comparative case studies, and finally analyzing the socio-political dimensions of disability labeling.
The book addresses controversies, such as person-first versus identity-first language, and is geared towards students, researchers, and policymakers interested in disability rights.
