Series: Disability and the World War II Home Front

This series examines some of the many ways that disability intersected with and informed people’s experiences on the World War II home front.

  • Article 1: Disability and the World War II Home Front: Introduction

    A sailor on crutches missing a leg stares out at the viewer with a building & park in the background

    This series examines some of the many ways that disability intersected with and informed people’s experiences on the World War II home front. Read more

  • Article 2: Unfit for Service: Physical Fitness and Civic Obligation in World War II

    Poster with four sets of before and after shots of shirtless men standing in profile

    World War II brought widespread attention to physical fitness and disability across the US. As part of the military’s mobilization, all drafted and enlisted men had to undergo physical and psychiatric examinations to assess their fitness for war. About 19 million American men were drafted, but nearly half of them didn’t make the cut. Explore some of the reasons behind the draft’s rejection rate of over 40% as well as some of the factors that disqualified people from service. Read more

  • Article 3: Disabled Defense Workers on the World War II Home Front

    Young man wearing goggles sits at a workbench to weld. Another man inspects his work.

    During World War II, many new job opportunities opened to people with disabilities. To fill vacancies left by servicemen, the federal government looked to adults who were exempt from or deemed unfit for military service, including disabled people. Vocational rehabilitation programs played a significant role in the recruitment, placement, and training of disabled workers. Administrators used promotional materials to counter the idea that disabled workers were less efficient. Read more

  • Article 4: Places of Disabled Defense Workers on the World War II Home Front

    Color postcard of a silver US Navy blimp flying over the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company plant

    This article highlights a few of the many job opportunities that opened to disabled workers during World War II. Read more

  • Article 5: Hazards on the Home Front: Workplace Accidents and Injuries during World War II

    Safety poster of a man with arm in sling and the text

    During World War II, the dangers were not limited to the fighting overseas. Defense workers encountered many hazards on the home front as they tried to maximize efficiency and keep up with the demanding pace of production. Working in defense plants involved a high level of risk that could result in temporary or permanent disabilities, and even death. Efforts to track the rate of injury and promote safety hinted at deeper attitudes about disability, dependency, and deficiency. Read more

Tags: world war ii wwii ww2 world war ii history home front world war ii home front disability disability history labor history military history defense production civil defense civilian defense vocational rehabilitation taas telling all americans stories