French Disability Studies: Differences and Similarities

Abstract

In the introduction to this special issue on French disability studies, the authors – guest editors for this issue – examine the gradual development of the field of disability in France, the heritage of a long history. According to the authors, the vitality of disability research in France is camouflaged by a certain number of particularities. Two hypotheses are put forward to explain the weak development, in France, of a research area specifically dedicated to disability research. The first hypothesis is based on the conception of equality under French republican universalism; the second is based on the particular way that research is organized in France. The terminological problems and the difficulties of translating the term “handicap” are also discussed. The introduction ends with a presentation of the various articles that make up this special issue.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Anders Gustavsson for inviting us to carry out this project of presenting French disability studies, and for his constant confidence and support.

We would also like to thank Chris Hinton, who translated most of the articles in this issue.