ABSTRACT
Everyone, with or without a disability, lives in a society and, therefore, counselors need to be aware of and understand the way in which society defines and deals with their clients. Although everyone experiences social threats, IWDs face more social threats. In this chapter, seven practice guidelines are presented and described. These are 1) recognize the demeaning images of IWDs in the general culture; 2) recognize that IWDs may be members of other disenfranchised groups; 3) support and acknowledge the caregiver; 4) screen for abuse and neglect; 5) recognize activism and advocacy as adaptive behavior; 6) look for and foster transcendence; and 7) collaborate with medical providers. Maslow’s humanistic theory of self-actualization, including the hierarchy of needs, is applied to IWDs. Collaboration with medical professionals is advocated for the following reasons: 1) disabilities have both emotional and physical aspects; 2) with this type of collaboration, there is a greater possibility that all of the needs of IWDs will be addressed; 3) this type of collaboration will be cost-effective; and 4) counselors can assist in decision making and provide support for clients’ decisions.
