Beyond Disability: Towards an Enabling Society

This study presents theoretical and practical perspectives on how society intervenes in the lives of people with disabilities, demonstrating ways in which such interventions can be ineffective and often counter-productive. The contributors to this volume seek to illustrate how, with thought and planning - and in some cases a shift of emphasis or attitude - resources for disabled individuals could be used more effectively. Issues covered include: considerations of specific types of disability; an examination of care and counselling; discussions of training, legislation and management; the impact of the caring professions on those with disabilities; and future developments in disability services. This work is a course reader for the Open University course K255, The Disabling Society.