True to its title, [b:No Right to Be Idle: The Invention of Disability, 1840s-1930s|30548102|No Right to Be Idle The Invention of Disability, 1840s-1930s|Sarah F. Rose|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492888483l/30548102._SY75_.jpg|51090826] by Sarah F. Rose, researches and details exactly what it sets out to describe. Centering on the history of disability in the United States, this work follows how different economic and industrial movements impacted, directly or indirectly, the ability of people with disabilities to find and maintain employment.

Very interesting was the passage on the complicated nature of worker’s compensation and how it’s introduction inadvertently hurt people with preexisting disabilities. Also fascinating (and disturbing) is how veterans have been systematically disenfranchised even they got their disability in service to the country. African American veterans in particular were completely frozen out of opportunity.

Furthermore, intention and impact of policy did not always overlap in execution. Furthermore, this is an area where personal acts of “charity” or the openness of individual employers to hire disabled workers, really did not move the needle on the whole for disabled Americans in general. Good efforts should not be frowned on, but this is simply one of those areas where large structural change is what’s needed.

Overall, this is a great resource if you are interested in the topic.

Rating: 3.5 stars