This book investigates how spatial organization, urban development, and mobility constraints have historically and contemporaneously shaped the lived experiences of disabled individuals. Brendan Gleeson, a scholar in urban geography and disability studies, utilizes a critical theoretical framework to examine the intersection of physical environments and social exclusion. By analyzing the transition to capitalism and the evolution of Western urban policy, the author argues that disability is not merely a medical condition but a social construct reinforced by the built environment. The work provides a rigorous academic assessment of how policy, architecture, and economic systems dictate the inclusion or marginalization of disabled populations.

Scholars and practitioners in the fields of geography and social policy frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the spatial dimensions of disability. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a comprehensive and rigorous analysis of urban environments and social justice.