Prominent disability studies scholar, activist, writer since the 1960s, Vic Finkelstein, dies in Britain

In 2001, Vic Finkelstein (pictured) reviewed the development of radical British disability organizations and his own personal history and thought in their evolution. Finkelstein, a psychologist by training, was a tutor in Disability Studies at the Open University and was Visiting Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Disability Studies, Leeds University, UK:

-- A Personal Journey Into Disability Politics.

-- A list of links to Finkelstein writings.

December 1 email from Colin Barnes, professor of Disability Studies at Leeds University, posted on the in regione caecorum rex est luscus blog:

"Dear All

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Vic Finkelstein, arguably the most important figure in the history of the ongoing struggle for meaningful equality for disabled people both in Britain and the rest of the world.

As a disabled activist and writer since the 1960s in South Africa and Britain, Vic’s contribution to our understanding of the oppression of disabled people is unprecedented. In many respects we are all living in Vic’s shadow..

Vic was admitted to Stoke Mandeville hospital on Monday with pneumonia and died peacefully yesterday evening with his immediate family around him (30/11/2011).

On behalf of everyone here at CDS (Centre for Disability Studies) at Leeds may we express our deepest condolences to his daughters Anna and Rebecca. "