Introduction. Demographics of disability ; Understanding disability policy ; A word about language -- Disabled policymaking/disabled policy. The paradigm shift ; Overview of the policymaking process ; Key stakeholders -- History of segregation and stereotypes. "The problem of feeblemindedness" ; Assistance and treatment ; The stereotypes continue -- Compensation and rehabilitation. Historical basis of compensation ; Industrial-related disabilities ; Social Security ; The disability insurance crisis ; Vocational education ; 1973 Rehabilitation Act ; Education for disabled children ; Disability as a business/rehabilitation as an industry ; Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 -- Social and political activism. Disability rights as a social movement ; Disability interest groups ; Berkeley and the idependent living movement ; "The splintered universe" ; Coalition building and cross-disability activism ; Demonstrations and protests ; Litigation -- The ADA and the vision of equality. Developing a national policy: early initiatives ; Opening the policy window ; Policy environment ; Legislative building blocks ; United we stand ; Friends in high places ; Legislative process ; Stealth campaign ; Opposition Forces -- The ADA as Policy. Provisions of the law ; Implementation and rulemaking ; Enforcement ; Litigation ; Key litigation issues ; Fusion of positive and negative rights -- Life beyond the ADA: policy hot buttons. Reproductive rights and technology ; Not dead yet ; Jerry's Kids and telethons ; Christopher Reeve and the myth of the supercrip ; Deaf culture and cochlear implants ; The itegration mandate ; Violence against people with disabilities ; Invisible disabilities -- Status report on equality. Attitudes and public opinion ; Employment ; Social integration ; Barriers to independence ; Transportation ; Health care ; Housing ; Overall analysis -- Epilogue -- Appendices. Appendix A. Suggestions for further research ; Appendix B. Selected disability periodicals and media ; Appendix C. Annotated guide to nongovernmental disability organizations ; Appendix D. Chronology of important events in the history and development of American disability policy