Call for Papers for Sessions on Disability-Related Topics at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association

Call for Papers for Sessions on Disability-Related Topics at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association

Real Utopias: Emancipatory Projects, Institutional Designs, Possible Futures

2012 Annual Meeting Theme: 107th ASA Annual Meeting, August 17-20, Denver, Colorado

Open to submissions from December 8, 2011 to January 11, 2012, 3pm EST

Section on Disability and Society
1. Disability and Social Policy in Times of Fiscal Austerity. In the wake of global economic crises, many nations have withdrawn and/or reduced public spending on social policies and programs, and as a result, restricted economic and social access for many, including people with disabilities. Given the role of social policies in ensuring equality of access (to schools, public transit, commerce, employment, social participation, and most recently, health insurance coverage), it is incumbent upon sociologists to interrogate the impact of these recent changes for people with disabilities. For this session, we welcome paper submissions that address: specific policies (i.e. Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, etc.), historical perspectives on social policy and disability, comparative intranational or international perspectives on social policy and disability, disparities in access or outcomes for people with disabilities (as a whole or specific sub groups) as a result of changes!
 in social policy. Session Organizer: Brian R. Grossman, San Jose State University

2. Disability, Technology, and the Built Environment. In keeping with the Annual Meeting’s theme of Real Utopias, this session will explore how technology and the built environment can both constrain and empower individuals with physical and mental impairments, and how inclusive technologies and environments that reflect universal design can be created and institutionalized. Session Organizer: Richard K. Scotch, University of Texas-Dallas

3. *Section on Disability and Society Roundtables (one-hour). Session Organizers: Robyn Brown, DePaul University
*Session will be 1-hour in length; followed by the Section’s 40-minute business meeting.