Geographies of Disability and Social Inclusion

The geographies of disability and social inclusion encompass the study of how physical, social and political environments shape the experiences of disabled people and, conversely, how disabled communities transform spaces. This field adopts a relational perspective, emphasising that disability arises not solely from bodily impairments but from mismatches between individual needs and social–spatial arrangements. Researchers investigate urban infrastructures, rural territories, digital realms and policy frameworks to reveal patterns of accessibility, exclusion and empowerment. Central concerns include the design and governance of public spaces, transport systems and communication technologies, as well as the role of participatory methods in amplifying lived expertise. By foregrounding global case studies—from congested metropolises to remote villages—scholars highlight the uneven distribution of opportunities and the struggles for the right to the city, the right to mobility and the right to inclusive learning. This work carries practical implications for urban planners, policymakers and activists seeking to dismantle barriers and foster environments in which diverse bodies can flourish.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Geographies of Disability and Social Inclusion publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in geographies of disability and social inclusion across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Social model of disability: A framework that locates disability in social and environmental barriers rather than in individual impairments.

Accessibility: The degree to which built, digital and social environments accommodate diverse bodily, sensory and cognitive needs.

Spatial justice: The fair and equitable distribution of space, resources and opportunities across different social groups.

Participatory mapping: A collaborative approach in which community members co-produce spatial data and representations based on lived experience.

References

1. Short and Locked Down: The Impact of COVID-19 on a Person With Dwarfism. Space and Culture (2023).
2. Broken elevators, temporalities of breakdown, and open data: how wheelchair mobility, social media activism and situated knowledge negotiate public transport systems. Mobilities (2022).
3. (Co)-movilidades de personas con discapacidad en la ruralidad del Sur de Chile. Visibilizando redes e interdependencias desde un enfoque etnográfico. Revista de Antropología Social (2024).