Having gone through 30 years of development, the new edition of this highly-regarded classic is the most trusted companion for understanding and promoting the potential for social work with disabled people. It offers readers a clear introduction to the core issues of disability alongside discussion and assessment of the social worker's role.

Written by an experienced and highly respected team of authors, the book reflects:
- The latest updates, developments and policy changes
- The broad range of areas needing to be understood for informed practice
- Recent changes to the focus of social work education and practice
- The Social Model of Disability, encouraging debate about its role in social work
- Developments for independent living
- The heightened importance of safeguarding issues, giving attention to the topical issue of disabilist hate crime

Accessible to a broad readership and respected by disabled people themselves, this text is the foundation for effective practice.