Disability Studies: Books and Videos

This video describes Aneta Brodski's performances of spoken word poetry in American Sign Language.

A film about tough, highly competitive quadriplegic rugby players. These men have been forced to live life sitting down, but in their own version of the full-contact sport, they smash each other in custom-made gladiator-like wheelchairs. Tells the story of a group of world-class athletes unlike any ever shown on screen. In addition to smashing chairs, it will smash every stereotype you ever had about the disabled.

An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust, and human possibility. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicapped millionaire and his street-smart ex-con caretaker, The Intouchables depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.

Every year Larry Selman, a 60 year old man with mental retardation, raises thousands of dollars for charity. When his life teeters on the edge of a crisis, his New York City community comes to his aid through a unique act of generosity.

Though he appears normal, Rick Franklin's brain injury has made his life anything but. Teaming up with veteran documentary maker and friend Lyell Davies, Rick explores the impact that brain injury has had on himself and other survivors and reveals helpful approaches to living with a brain injury. As they visit with brain injury survivors, invisible aspects of this disability become more clear; we see the wide range of deficits that survivors must face, both physically and mentally, and learn how no two brain injuries are alike. We also hear how survivors learn to deal with life after a brain injury by means of personal, medical, and even political strategies. Comments by a cognitive therapist and a disability studies scholar offer additional insight into this disability that affects far more people than you might suspect. Includes an interview with disability rights advocate, Zona Roberts.