ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that two different components: a historical overview of disability in Italy from Roman times up to the 19th century, and the evolution of the considerable number of changes that have led up to the disability framework. That framework increasingly views disability as a common and legitimate experience of human functioning but, as the historical overview shows, this was not always the case. The chapter suggests that the reader can capitalize on two different sets of key information that might be useful as interpretation criteria of what has been synthetically presented. First, regarding the historical overview, the chapter examines the progressive efforts over the centuries, and especially in Italy, to enrich the identity of the Person with disability as a valid part of human diversity. Second, regarding the developments, it provides to emphasize the attempt to integrate scientific knowledge with the legal and rights approach, with providing efficient services and supports, with advocacy, and with family participation.
