The organization of difference: people with intellectual disabilities and the social model of disability

In this article I propose that the experience of people categorized as having intellectual disabilities is inadequately represented by current disability theory, premised, as much of it is, on the socially constructed duality between disability and impairment. I argue that representation of intellectual disability within the wider world of disability in general will only be achieved by thinking of disability on a continuum. This should preserve individual identities while reducing categorization and the attendant essentialist versus constructionist conflict. Debate can then move to a consideration of what methodologies are appropriate to the inquiry.