This book provides a valuable route map to the development of thinking in disability studies over the last eighteen years. It includes over twenty essential articles from the journal Disability and Society, written by many of the leading authors in the field from the UK, the USA, Australia and Europe. Compiled by the current editors of the journal, it is divided into three sections which mirror the three central themes: disability studies -- clearly illustrates the debates and challenges that have emerged within the field over the last two decades policy -- offers a snapshot of social policy that has impinged on the lives of disabled people in many parts of the world research issues -- reveals the inequalities between disabled and non-disabled people and the advocacy of new methods and research practices. The editors' specially written introduction to each section contextualises the selection and introduces students to the main issues and current thinking in the field. Altogether this book is a rich source of ideas and insights covering conceptual, theoretical, empirical and cross-cultural issues and questions.