Customer Reviews

No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement

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As a deaf person and an educator, I find myself very involved whether I like it or not in being an activist. I was taking a law class on disability law, and the second footnote in the required text was on this book. That intrigued me, and when I read the reviews about the book, I was even more intrigued. This book is a must-read for anyone who might or does work with the disabled. We no longer want the pity, the institutions, and the exclusion from society. We want to be viewed as normal except with one part or a few parts that may not function as some would consider normal. We want an equal education, equal opportunity to jobs, equal opportunities to participate in society. And everyone will be the better for it. Mr Shapiro as a non-disabled person, wrote a book that was compassionate but strived hard to see things from our point of view. This ability probably stands him in good stead as a journalist. He even taught me things I didn't know about other disabilities. Educators, lawyers, politicians, parents, social workers, and health care professionals need to get off their duff and read this book. They can no longer turn a blind eye or claim ignorance as an excuse to not allowing those of us with differences our rights under the law.

In regards to the review by Cindy Heilman below, it is apparent that you missed a major point of this book. When you state that "Neither the disabled, homosexuals, nor adoptees are the target of lynching, Jim Crow laws, fire engine hosing, or vicious police dogs."

You must have missed the disability history about Nazi death camps, false imprisonments in institutions, forced sterilization, abuse by caregivers, death by neglect, murder of those with mental disabilities thought to be under demonic controls, murder of disabled children in underdeveloped countries, the list goes on and on. I'm not an expert on the experiences of gays and adoptees, but as far as gays...it seems they face some of the most violent crimes that helped institute hate crime statutes. The history of African-Americans has been tragic and an embarrassment for our country, but they are certainly not alone in facing hatred and violent discrimination.

As for your statement regarding the difference in abilities justifies unequal treatment, you are missing the point that we all have differing abilities and must find ways to use our assets to contribute to society and accommodate our weaknesses. This holds true for any college student who has picked a major that accommodates their strengths while downplaying their weaknesses or any member of any sports team who picks the position that will give the team the best advantage. Disabled people are not asking for unfair advantages, they are asking for equal access. A level playing field. The same opportunities to build on their strengths and contribute to the society that has blocked them out. Even under horrendous Jim Crow Laws, African-Americans were sometimes allowed to go into the back of a restuarant and be served. People with disabilities aren't even allowed to the resturant door sometimes. Although their is a uniqueness to some of the issues surrounding disability, the civil rights aspect of amicus and access are exactly the same.

Read "Make them go away" by Mary Johnson for a more straightforward, updated essay on this situation if you still don't understand.

Four years ago this book was part of a class taught by James McLeskey that changed my life. Because this book is so well written, and because it time after time moved me into zones of cognitive dissonance about what I knew and about what I believed, it had the effect of making me incredibly uncomfortable about my own unrecognized prejuidaces concerning folks with disabilities. As Shapiro says, it is the only minority group which we can join at any time, and the older we live, the more likely we are to acquire disabilities. I currently teach classes about inclusion of students with special needs in general education classrooms, and this book has received rave reviews from many students and made many others angry. As a teacher hoping to open space for questioning, that's exactly what I want in a book.

My perception has changed in ways immeasurable in regards to people with disabilities. Now, every single day I am aware of the small and large ways in which those with disabilities are discrimated against by temporarily able-bodied individuals. I am buying several copies to lend and give out, I hope others do the same.

This book is written in an easy-to-read style by a journalist who has covered disability issues for many years. It explains how he came to see that disability is a civil rights issue, just like racial or sexual discrimination. And it provides a very interesting history of the American disability movement in particular.

The Essential Primer from a non-disabled person's view. The 1994 book covers history, policies, and the interdependence we have together.
Judy Heumann and Evan Kemp recommended this to me in 1990's, and my eyes were opened wide after I read it. Ch. 1 and Tinytimism (as I call it)applies to many groups. Some call it 'Uncle Tom','assimilationist', or other. 'No Pity' describes why the charity model is fatalistic and damaging. You can see this played out in the Congress about 'welfare', 'healthcare', Clint Eastwood's attack on the ADA, and 'special needs'.
Sorry folks - we just want what you think we have, but we don't really have it: civil, legal, accessible, culturally affirming human rights.
Even if you have a disability, it is vital to read the sections that you think you know- and definately read the ones you don't know. Anyone working in health care, Addiction, Mental Health, VA, CILS, advocacy for any disability related group should read this first.

My only regret was I didn't read it sooner.

Access is a civil right and an attitude, not just a ramp (TM)!

This book changed my view of the world, of people with disabilites, and of people in general. Everything I thought I knew about disabilities went right out the window. Not only is it a real eye-opener, it's also a fantastic read -- interesting, funny, heart-breaking, rivitting, inspiring, earth-shattering -- everything you would want out of a good book. Everyone should read this book -- and then give it to all their friends to read (I have).

Its important for anyone who wants to read about the disability rights movement that this is first book to read, even if one has a negative impression of it. The goal of the independent living movement as identified in the book is for full community integration for people with disabilities and complete civil rights and equal rights. Unfortunately when one reads about the disability rights movement, there is talk about "politically correct language", "burdensome lawsuits" and the like and I can't deny that these things happen (as with any movement there are extremists and people who focus on surface issues) but "No Pity" details the independent living movement starting with Ed Roberts (who had been paralyzed to the point where he required a respirator, then called an iron lung, his whole life) who founded the independent living movement from scratch and from there, there were networks of these centers and now they are a vital resource. And its not just linguistics but the thinking behind them, empowerment, integration and the idea that disability is ultimately a universal experience. And the important thing is for every negative experience you hear about you can read about workable constructive solutions, many of which save taxpayer's money and put people to work and most importantly people with disabilities being thought of not as "the other" but as people in general. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but if you have a negative impression of the disability rights movement why not read through "No Pity" and then post a review after as you'll have a fuller understanding. And as a disability rights activist myself and someone who has pushed for the Olmstead Decision, Mental Health Parity and the upcoming Community Choice Act whom many of the people discussed in here initiated (you can look up these terms for more information) you can see that the end goal is yet another civil rights movement with equality and social justice as the end goal and a community that people often eventually become a part of as disability is a universal experience. So take a fresh mindset, read this and know that much has been achieved and much remains to but often the first steps towards understanding people with disabilities must come from self acceptance and a willingness to understand new ideas. This primer will give you some key ideas and if you are a person with a disability yourself, in understanding the term "no pity" you may understand the essential empowering nature of the ever expanding freedoms that are part of America and want in whatever way you can contribute. A book that changed my life in real world terms and may do the same for others.

This book was introduced during Disability Awareness Month by my employer, an international bank. I myself have a hearing impairment and use hearing aids. Since I am not deaf but I am not all-hearing, people don't understand the levels of hearing or how the hearing impaired hear. Even I myself have experienced ignorance by others lack of understanding and knowledge. I had so many aha moments while reading this book. I also learned a great deal about other disabilities that I just had no idea and could not even conceive the struggles. The double amputee being thrown on a baggage dollie, like a sack of potatoes, the poster children being used to show a camparison, the wheel chair population being stranded without public access were all stories that I had just not thought about. Unlike one of the previous reviews, who didn't like the comparison to other groups who experienced discrimation, I thought Mr Shapiro did a great job. Since our American society is more sensitive to the struggles of the African American commnunity.......... and ignorant to disability discrimination, it helps the reader to look inside and see ones own lack of understanding and short comings. I find it interesting that people with disabilities all seem to have positive comments regarding this book (that being us who live it) and others who are not disabled critizise. And to the reviewer who was offended by the comparison..........really? Why is it that you can not find compassion for people with disabilities? Can't you offer to this group, "I understand your struggle"? The book was not about showing who had it the worst (feel sorry for me). After all, it's perfect title is "No Pity". It's about acceptance. My son had a sitter when he was an infant who is blind. She was very capable of providing love and care for my infant son. I have experienced discrimination at school and at work, and even our management team and HR turned a blind eye. If I was being discriminated for other reasons under ADA, there would be no or less hesitation. But that's my road to travel. I have a sister who was born deaf, my sibling's brother was born with mental retardation and lived in an institution all his short life. I am also the daughter of murderer, a unwed/single mother of a bi-racial son, and a birth mom, all of which I have been treated differently and looked upon with unacceptance so I understand judging people. Joseph Shapiro.......thank you for writing this book.

It embraced all the intricate on the historical ignorance on people's and organizations' approach to developmental disabilities. It exposed the treatments persons with developmental disabilities were subjected. It gave the step by step stuggles, reactions, success and laws that came about as a result of the fight persons with developmental disabilities fought to this date. If you need to be an activist, advocate, or educator, for persons with and without developmental disabilities, this book, No Pity: People with Disabilities... is a must read book.
Eat it, chew it thoroughly you will not regret it. I am glad my instructor recommended it for my class ( Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University).No Pity : People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement