Irving Kenneth Zola was an internationally known sociologist and advocate who specialized in disability studies and medical sociology.  He was associated with Brandeis University from 1963 until his death in 1994 and was a founding member of the Society of Disability Studies and the first editor of DSQ: Disability Studies Quarterly.  Through his writings and work he became a mentor and role model for many individuals.

The collection found in the Howe Library, in addition to being rich in the subjects of medical sociology and disability studies, also contains many articles on media portrayals and the writings of people with disabilities.  Different aspects of disability are represented – abuse, employment, education, political activity, etc.  as well as files on the physician-patient relationship and medical care.

The Library has copies of his many writings.  The Dr. Zola files contain information on the writing of these, including other versions and correspondence with publishers and peers.  A copy of his publications is available.  The files also contain his correspondence and information on the courses he taught at Brandeis. 

Dr. Zola was an advisor for many students and served on the Dissertation Committee of several others.   The Library has copies of many of these   dissertations as well as proposals, papers and projects from other students.  The subjects cover many social problems – homelessness, aging, homosexuality, substance abuse – as well as disability issues and other topics in sociology.

Another aspect of Dr. Zola’s work is the time he spent as an expert witness in  court cases involving discrimination.  Some of these cases can be found in the Zola Files.

A guide to the complete Irving Kenneth Zola Collection can be obtained from the Library.

Related Links:

1.                   Bibliography: Publications by Zola at the Howe Library

2.                   Irv Zola Homepage: In September 1994 (three months before his death) Irv Zola began plans to publish Meaningful Relationships/Moments in Time, an autobiographical collection of 21 short stories all of which carry a disability theme. A copy may be obtained in exchange for donations ($10 is suggested) to Boston Self Help Center, or to Friends of Howe Library (where Irv's books and papers are being archived for use by the public), or to Disability Studies Quarterly. Send your check to Irv's wife: Judy Norsigian, 43 Waban Hill Rd. N., Newton, MA 02167. Please remember to include your name and address.