Disability, Policy and Professional Practice

Professor Jennifer Harris, Director, Interdisciplinary Disability Research Institute, University of Dundee (retired).

• IntroductionThe Historical Legacy, Legislation, Policy and GuidanceIntroductionThe Roots of Policy, Legislation and ProtectionThe Poor Law Origins of Health and Social CareConclusionCommunity Care and BeyondIntroductionCommunity Care LegislationDeinstitutionalizationConclusionPivotal Moments in the development of disability policy IntroductionThe Social Model of Disability′Mainstreaming′ Controversies and CritiqueBalancing Greater Individual Choice with Resource EquityThe Lessons of History and new Demands in PracticePositive PracticeAdvocacy, Facilitation and EmpowermentThe Implications of Equality 2025 and the Growth of Centres of Inclusive LivingConclusionIndependent Living, Choices and RightsIntroductionEnabling Practice in the 21st CenturyWorking Futures: Work Options and Economic Wellbeing for Disabled peopleDirect Payments and In Control: Blazing a Trail for Personalised Social CarePersonalisation and Self Directed SupportIndependence, Well-Being and Choice and BeyondIn ControlIndividual BudgetsConclusionLife course IssuesIntroductionEvery Child Matters: Towards Seamless Child ServicesEvery Disabled Child MattersDisabled Children′s Wheelchair Services: Some Distance Still to TravelTransition from Children′s to Adult ServicesWorking with Older Disabled PeopleAdult Social Care and Older People: Practice IssuesHome-Based Living Options for Disabled PeoplePractice points with Assistive TechnologiesThe Family Context: Informal Carers′ Issues; Balancing the Rights of Disabled People with Those of CarersConclusionValuing DiversityIntroductionMental HealthLearning Disabled Service UsersGender and DisabilityEthnicity and DisabilitySexuality, Sexual Identity and ParentingConclusionKey Challenges for an Aspiring Social Model PractitionerIntroductionThe Challenge of User Control and Choice; How Should a Social Model Practitioner Act?Managing the Managers: Budgetary Constraints and Street Level Bureaucracy: Dealing with a Disempowering SystemMental Capacity and Power of Attorney: How Can the Duty of Care be Balanced with Social Model Practice?Practice Guidance SummarisedWorking with Colleagues in User-Led OrganizationsUsers, Carers and Wider Service Providers: Seeing Disabled People in Context: The Central Place of the Disabled PersonRelating the Legislation and Policy to the Practice Environment: How Can Professionals Develop ′Real Reflexivity′ in Working with Disabled People?ConclusionConclusion

I warmly welcome this book and am looking forward to recommending it to students. Harris and Roulstone provide a detailed grounding of the policy and practice terrain alongside a focused consideration of key issues relating to disability.Hannah MorganLecturer in Disability Studies, Lancaster University Disability, Policy and Professional Practice is a valuable addition to the field. It is accessible, readable and practically useful for students.Toby Brandon, Senior LecturerNorthumbria University