By Mark Priestley

Paperback and Hardback

“This recommendation was hand-selected by The Gwenin Exchange team for its alignment with Gwenin’s values of clarity, accessibility, and mindful living.”

---

Description

Disability: A Life Course Approach by Mark Priestley is a landmark text that offers a fresh and comprehensive perspective on how disability intersects with every stage of life from birth to old age. Priestley provides a thoughtful, systematic exploration of how societies construct and control generational boundaries for disabled people, drawing attention to issues of access, autonomy, and justice across the lifespan.

The book takes a social model approach, situating disability within broader cultural, political, and policy contexts rather than framing it as an individual problem. Through a series of engaging chapters, Priestley examines critical moments such as childhood development, youth transitions, interdependence in adulthood, and the often-overlooked experiences of ageing and end-of-life care.

Case studies, contemporary examples, and discussion prompts make this book not only an essential academic resource but also an accessible tool for professionals, advocates, and anyone interested in understanding how we can create fairer, more inclusive societies for all generations.

---

How does this fit with the Gwenin Exchange?

At The Gwenin Exchange, we believe in building community through inclusion, learning, and empowerment, values deeply embedded in Disability: A Life Course Approach. Priestley’s exploration of the social structures that shape disabled lives mirrors our own mission: to challenge systemic barriers and reimagine accessibility as a shared responsibility.

This book encourages the kind of reflective, justice-oriented thinking that lies at the heart of the Gwenin ethos. It’s about understanding disability not as a limitation, but as part of the human experience, one that calls for empathy, equity, and collective action.

A perfect read for educators, carers, and changemakers, it captures the spirit of what we strive for at Gwenin: a connected world where everyone can move through life with dignity, respect, and opportunity.

---

Order through the Gwenin Exchange partner link:

Disability: A Life Course Approach

Note: This is an affiliate link. If you choose to buy through it, The Gwenin Exchange may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. This support helps keep all Gwenin ecosystem sites ad-free and independent.