ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents an argument for the provision of all types of counseling services to individuals with disabilities (IWDs). It defines the medical, biological, organic, mental, and emotional aspects of disability. In fact, most of the general public conceptualizes disabilities as only the medical, biological, and emotional symptoms and manifestations. The unheralded demographic shift of the greater numbers of IWDs is also discussed, including some of the implications for both society and professional service providers, which includes counselors. The book also presents Models of Disability, which are abstract, human-made definitions of disability. Models of Disability can lead to case management and collaboration. One of the practice applications is collaboration between counselors and medical service providers. The client with a disability will appreciate the counselor's greater understanding of their life. Case management becomes more straightforward when each model is considered separately.