Sign-language game where players make words from cards, Boston, 1869. Catalog record
Researchers can find a variety of primary and secondary sources documenting representations and lived experiences of disabled Americans through approximately 1900 in North America. The following research guide is intended to serve as a starting point for your research.
Finding Primary Sources
The General Catalog uses genre/form terms to make findable thousands of works for disability studies through approximately 1900. Researchers can use the following terms:
- Books for the visually impaired
- Newspapers for people with disabilities
- Periodicals for people with disabilities
- Visually impaired persons' periodicals
- Works sold for the benefit of disabled persons
The General Catalog uses Library of Congress subject headings including:
- Amputees
- Blind
- Blind children
- Children with disabilities
- Children with mental disabilities
- Deaf children
- Deaf people
- Deafblind children
- Deafblind people
- Disabilities
- Mental illness
- People with disabilities
- People with mental disabilities
- Sign language
If you don't find what you are looking for please email our staff at reference [at] mwa.org (reference[at]mwa[dot]org).
Digital Collections and Projects
The following digital collections and project websites are freely available from anywhere.
The following digital collections are available to researchers who are present at AAS and signed on to AAS networks. Publishers provide separate tools for searching their collections. Some feature materials not held at AAS.
- Gale Primary Sources
Includes all Gale products available at AAS - Readex AllSearch
Includes all Readex products available at AAS
Recorded Programs
Watch past disability studies programs most of which resulted from research completed in the AAS collection.
Fellowship Opportunities
The American Antiquarian Society awards over forty fellowships annually. Fellowships are offered for postdoctoral academics, advanced graduate students, independent scholars, as well as for creative and performing artists and writers.