Purely academic? Exploring the relationship between theory and political activism

This paper discusses the relationship between political activism and theory and asks to what extent the production of disability theory is 'useful' in broad terms. Through out the paper I locate myself as part of the disabled peoples movement, and write from a position of a shared value base and ana lyses of a collective experience. In doing so, I make no apology for flouti ng academic pretentions of objectivity and neutrality. Rather, I believe I am giving essential information which clarifies my motivation and political position.