Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This important text draws together a wealth of experience to present theoretical and practical insights into the way society intervenes in the lives of disabled people, and considers how resources could be used in ways that are more helpful and supportive.

Stressing the social contexts within which disabilities become apparent, the contributors highlight two key points: disabled people have practical difficulties only in the area of life affected by their disability and in other respects are no different from anyone else; and they are handicapped not by the parameters of their disability but by the demands and attitudes of society. The contributors consider the position of people with specific types of disability, explore both sides of the `care′ and `counselling′ equation, and discuss training, legislation and aspects of management and attitudes among professionals.

Beyond Disability has been developed as a Course Reader for the Open University course The Disabling Society (K255) .

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction
• Part 1 Setting The Scene
• Aspects of Intervention
• Consultation, Care, Help and Support
• Key Issues in Support
• Part 2 The Practicalities
• Mobility Impairment
• Visual Impairment and Disability
• A Hearing Difficulty as Impairment
• Learning Difficulties
• Part 3 How Does It Feel?
• The Experience of Care
• Disabled People and the Equal Opportunities Movement
• The Experience of Counselling
• Being a Counsellor
• Part 4 Making It Work
• Simulation Exercises in Disability Awareness Training
• A Critique
• Disability and Legislation
• Rights and Equality
• Legislation
• A Practical Example - Young People and Education
• Working Choices
• The Attitudes of Health Professionals towards Disabled People
• Part 5 The Way Forward
• Four Camels of Disability
• Developing New Services