ABSTRACT

It is beyond dispute that people with disabilities continue to be economically and socially disadvantaged (see Burchardt, 2003; Jenkins and Rigg, 2003; Russell, 2003; Preston, 2006). Social work can be one of the means whereby states deliver their commitment to removing such inequalities, but it can also be one of the barriers that disabled people encounter when seeking to exercise their rights and freedoms. Understanding and thinking about social work’s role in this regard requires a vigilant approach both from individual professionals and from organizations.