This highly controversial and contemporary new book presents the social model of disability and the views of the growing disability movement in a thought-provoking and stimulating way. Thirteen of the eighteen chapters are written by disabled academics, practitioners and researchers. The first part of the book discusses the meaning of disability as disabled people perceive it. Topics such as prejudice, the disabled role, images of disability and the disability movement are covered. Later chapters focus on concrete issues relating to practice including gender and disability, disabled people from minority ethnic groups, the abuse of disabled people, researching disability, legislation and innovative practice. Broad guidelines for application are presented throughout allowing practitioners within each profession to apply the principles discussed in their own environment. Invaluable for therapists, nurses and students of these professions, this book will be essential reading for all those interested in learning about disability and who want to work with disabled people in a partnership of equality. It will also be of use to many other students and practitioners who work with disabled people including social workers and those involved in disability awareness/equality training.

This is a book which is on a par with the popular Open University readers on disability, which is praise indeed. If nurses were to buy only one book that would really help them to understand the nature of disability .... this would be an excellent choice. Nursing Times, March 1995