An introduction to disability at work

This chapter provides the background and context for the Routledge Companion to Disability and Work. It outlines the urgent need for this book in an era of persistent ableism and disableism. We move beyond the conventional view of work as merely a job, instead focusing on all activities that disabled people must engage in due to, and in spite of, ableism and disableism at every level of daily interaction, from one-on-one conversations to institutional biases. The introduction highlights the interdisciplinary, international, and multi-method nature of the chapters, enriched by the personal and vicarious lived experiences of disability. The chapter concludes by showcasing how our 54 authors address the core themes of disability in workplaces, disability at work, disability work, and systemic change pathways toward disability inclusion.