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).

Introduction - Gerald Hales
PART ONE: SETTING THE SCENE
Aspects of Intervention - Ann Macfarlane
Consultation, Care, Help and Support
Key Issues in Support - Collette Welch
PART TWO: THE PRACTICALITIES
Mobility Impairment - Sue Napolitano
Visual Impairment and Disability - Colin Barnes
A Hearing Difficulty as Impairment - Mairian Corker
Learning Difficulties - Sheila Ford
PART THREE: HOW DOES IT FEEL?
The Experience of Care - Sian Vasey
Disabled People and the Equal Opportunities Movement - Bernard Leach
The Experience of Counselling - Sallie Withers
Being a Counsellor - Ray Woolfe
PART FOUR: MAKING IT WORK
Simulation Exercises in Disability Awareness Training - Sally French
A Critique
Disability and Legislation - Ken Davis
Rights and Equality
Legislation - Deborah Cooper
A Practical Example - Young People and Education
Working Choices - Brenda Smith
The Attitudes of Health Professionals towards Disabled People - Sally French
PART FIVE: THE WAY FORWARD
Four Camels of Disability - Dick Leaman
Developing New Services - Vic Finkelstein and Ossie Stuart