Abstract

This book tells the stories of nine disabled leaders who, by force of personality and concrete achievement, have made us think differently about disability. Whatever direction they have come from, they share a common will to change society so that disabled people get a fair deal.

There are compelling biographies of:

· Sir Bert Massie: public servant
· Lord (Jack) Ashley: Labour politician
· Rachel Hurst: activist and campaigner
· Tom Shakespeare: academic
· Phil Friend: entrepreneur and business consultant
· Peter White: broadcaster
· Mat Fraser: actor, musician and performer
· Andrew Lee: activist and campaigner
· Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson: Paralympic champion

Defying Disability is based on extensive interviews with the subjects and the people who know them. It marks their similarities and differences, the forces that drove them to achieve, the impact they have had on policies and practice, and how the modern history of disability in the UK has been played out in their lives.

Defying Disability is not just a good read; it will inform professionals in the field, students in disability studies, disabled people, their families and carers, and everyone interested in disability politics and policies.

There are a lot of acronyms in this book but don't be put off - this is not a dry and dusty academic volume. The actions and opinions of these outspoken people will challenge your perceptions of disability and achievement, and will ultimately enable you to form your own opinion on where you stand in the disability debate.
Link (Assoc for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalis)
A major contribution to our understanding of disability politics.
The National Information Forum
Mary Wilkinson was Editor of the campaigning newspaper, Disability Now, for over 20 years, until 2005. With a team increasingly composed of disabled people, she developed Disability Now into the UK's leading pan-disability newspaper.

This is an important insight into lives of nine brave people, who have, whatever their background fought for themselves and others; and in the case of some changed the law

and our way of seeing others. This book should be read by all.

Internet Law Book Reviews
This is an engaging and slightly edgy read by the former and founding editor of Disability Now... Written in a style that offers at the same time factual biography and personal narrative, this book will be of great interest to a wide audience.
Disability Now
If you feel you need a nudge or even a mighty kick to get more politically active in the disability movement, read this. The nine men and women interviewed in the book are giants in the disability world, dazzling in their achievements, and demonstrate how we need people who believe in what they are doing in the face of criticism and are bolshy or tenacious enough to push on with it.
One in Seven (RNID)
Based on extensive interviews with the subjects and the people who know them, the new book Defying Disability tells the stories of nine disabled leaders who, by force of personality and concrete achievement, have mad us think differently about disability. Labour politician Lord Jack Ashley and Paralympic champian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson are two of the nine leaders featured. Whatever direction they have come from, they share a common will to change society so that disabled people get a fair deal.
Mobilise
This book provides a fascinating insight into the lives of nine people who overcame the potential disadvantage of disability to achieve recognition, change and national acclaim. The story of motivation and unstoppable determination reflected by the lives of each of these disabled leaders is inspiring. The book is admirable in describing the power of the human spirit when not accepting limitations imposed by others, to strive beyond possible expectations. It paves the way forward in recognizing the rights and abilities of all disabled people.
Peter Burke, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences, Hull University
This important book provides a fascinating insight into the achievements of nine disabled leaders and the development of British disability politics and practice over the past 40 years. The leaders profiled reveal both a range of approaches to tackling disabled people's exclusion, and differences in personal attitudes towards impairment and disability politics itself. In doing so, Defying Disabilty provides a more accurate reflection of the diversity of disability than some traditional disability texts.
Claire Tregaskis, disability consultant