2008 Discrimination Prevention Forum
Making an Impact

Synopsis from the publisher

The right to dignity for all is explicitly recognized in Canadian law. In practice however, a variety of individuals and groups have been excluded from the concern and respect that their nature as persons demands. Prominent among these excluded groups are members of the disabled community who are marginalized by a society that regularly neglects to recognize their needs, capacities, and merits as individuals. In Six Degrees of Dignity, David Shannon examines the issues of equality and the right to dignity for all is explicitly recognized in Canadian law. In practice however, a variety of individuals and groups have been excluded from the concern and respect that their nature as persons demands. Prominent among these excluded groups are members of the disabled community who are marginalized by a society that regularly neglects to recognize their needs, capacities, and merits as individuals. In Six Degrees of Dignity, David Shannon examines the issues of equality and the promotion of dignity for persons with a disability. As a person with quadriplegia, the result of a spinal cord injury at age 18, David offers much more than a legal and academics perspective to the issues. He identifies the social and attitudinal barriers still present in Canadian society today, and cites the factors needed to reverse the process of exclusion. Now internationally recognized as the program that will bring true inclusion into society of all persons with a disability, Six Degrees of Dignity is essential reading for professors and students in the areas of laws and social sciences, persons with disabilities, disability group leaders, lawyers, advocates and policy advisors. It is profound reading also for each of us interested in the dignity of all human beings.

For more information or to order a copy of his book.