Journal Guide

Disability & Society is an international journal providing a focus for debate about such issues as human rights, discrimination, definitions, policy and practices. It appears against a background of change in the ways in which disability is viewed and responded to. Definitions of disability are more readily acknowledged to be relative; segregated approaches are seen as inadequate and unacceptable - placing greater emphasis on community care and inclusion. However, policy intentions may not have the desired effects on the realities of everyday practice and policy changes themselves may be merely cosmetic, or appropriate but unfounded. The Journal publishes articles that represent a wide range of perspectives including the importance of the voices of disabled people. As well as main articles there is a Current Issues section that is intended to give people the opportunity to write about things that concern them in a less formal and academic way. The pieces should be interesting, controversial or even polemical and may encourage others to respond. They do not need to meet the conventional academic criteria but they should not be personal attacks or libellous. The word limit is 2000. If you are interested in writing a piece or know someone who is, please contact: Professor Alan Roulstone, School of Social Sciences, Lipman Building, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE1 8SX. Email: alan.roulstone@northumbria.ac.uk We have established a section within the Journal, entitled Student Perspectives, in which student papers will be published. Papers will be refereed and can explore any topic related to disability issues and questions. The papers must be authored by students undertaking under-graduate, postgraduate or research degrees. The papers need to be between 3000 and 7000 words (maximum). The papers should: * Provide an adequate review of disability studies literature. * Have clearly acknowledged sources. * Be specifically written for the Journal taking into account its ethos and audience. * Conform to the academic requirements of the Journal * Where necessary adequately discuss the methods used. * Have particular attention paid to the presentation and analysis of empirical data. * Pay attention to the Journal's policy on language. The paper should not be a straight reproduction of work produced for academic assessment. Submission details are the same as for main articles. See link to Instructions for Authors. Book Reviews Every edition of the journal contains up to four book reviews. These cover a wide range of issues on the social, political and cultural aspects of disability from a national and international perspective. The Book Reviews Editor, Alison Sheldon welcomes suggestions both for books to be reviewed and suitable reviewers. Letters and Doctoral Theses Special Issues The Journal also publishes Special Issues which address a chosen theme central to disability studies. The issues are open to submission of papers by any interested parties and they seek to include contributions from authors in a range of countries. All papers are refereed in line with the normal refereeing procedures of the Journal. The most recent Special Issue published in 2009 Vol 24, Number 5 is on the theme: 'Brave New World?': Disability and the 21st Century: Challenges and Solutions.' Future Special Issues, procedures and dates for submission, will be advertised at least 9 months in advance of the deadline. Peer Review Policy: All articles submitted to the journal undergo rigorous peer review. This involves anonymised refereeing by two anonymous referees and where there is a split decision by a third referee. The journal has an extensive editorial board of referees that have standing both nationally and internationally. Disclaimer for Scientific, Technical and Social Science publications: Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the 'Content') contained in its publications. However, Taylor & Francis and its agents and licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the Content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not the views of Taylor & Francis.