The number of disability related support services controlled and run by disabled people themselves has increased significantly in the UK and internationally over the past forty years. As a result, greater user involvement in service provision and delivery is a key priority for many western Governments. This book provides the first comprehensive review and analysis of these developments in the UK. Drawing on evidence from a range of sources, including material from the first national study of user-controlled services, this book provides a critical evaluation of the development and organisation of user-controlled services in the UK and identifies the principal forces - economic, political and cultural - that influence and inhibit their further development. It summarises and discusses the policy implications for the future development of services and includes an up-to-date and comprehensive literature and research review. "Independent futures" is essential reading for academics and students on a range of courses including: health and social care; social work; allied health professions, such as nursing, occupational therapy and speech therapy; social policy; sociology; and psychology. It will also be of interest to practitioners and policy makers who need a reliable overview of current policy and critical analysis of key issues affecting future policy and practice.

Working futures? looks at the current effectiveness and future scope for enabling policy in the field of disability and employment. By addressing the current strengths and weaknesses of disability and employment policy, the book asks Is the dichotomy of 'work for those who can and support for those who cannot' appropriate to the lives of disabled people? Does current and recent policy reduce or reinforce barriers to paid employment? What lessons from other welfare regimes can we draw on to further disabled people's working futures? The book is original in bringing together a wide range of policy insights to bear on the question of disabled people's working futures. It includes analyses of recent policy initiatives as diverse as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Draft Disability Bill, the benefits system, New Deal for Disabled People, job retention policy, comparative disability policy, the role of the voluntary sector and 'new policies for a new workplace'. Contributions from academics, NGOs, the OECD and the disabled peoples' movement bring multiple theoretical, professional and user perspectives to the debates at the heart of the book.

Since it was first published in 1993, Disabling Barriers, Enabling Environments has established itself as essential reading for anyone coming to the subject of disability studies. The book tackles a wide range of issues in numerous succinct chapters written by contributing authors, many of whom are disabled themselves. From the outset, the chapters take a multidisciplinary and international approach. The third edition is made up of 42 chapters, 15 of which are completely new to this edition, including:

- Early seminal writings in disabled studies

- Death and dying

- Psychology

- Hate crime and the criminal justice system

- Sport - Psycho-emotional disablism and internal oppression. This seminal textbook conveys the continuing developments in the lives and experiences of disabled people. It is valuable reading for students and professionals in the fields of social work, sociology, social policy, health and nursing as well as disabled people.

Since it was first published in 1993, Disabling Barriers, Enabling Environments has established itself as essential reading for anyone coming to the subject of disability studies. The book tackles a wide range of issues in numerous succinct chapters written by contributing authors, many of whom are disabled themselves. From the outset, the chapters take a multidisciplinary and international approach. The third edition is made up of 42 chapters, 15 of which are completely new to this edition, including:

- Early seminal writings in disabled studies

- Death and dying

- Psychology

- Hate crime and the criminal justice system

- Sport - Psycho-emotional disablism and internal oppression. This seminal textbook conveys the continuing developments in the lives and experiences of disabled people. It is valuable reading for students and professionals in the fields of social work, sociology, social policy, health and nursing as well as disabled people.

Social Care, Service Users and User Involvement provides a definitive introduction to practical, philosophical and theoretical issues at the heart of user involvement. This book provides an accessible account of the latest research findings regarding user involvement on three levels: the delivery and provision of services, practice and practitioners, and research and evaluation. It explores a wide range of service user needs and concerns, including the latest developments in personalisation and the effect of the Equality Act 2010. First-hand accounts illustrate the range of issues and service user needs which could be addressed by increased involvement within and beyond the social care system. The book also distinguishes between user views and user involvement, and addresses their processes outcomes and impact, as well as their measurement. This book will be a key source of information for care workers, service managers, policy makers, researchers, service users and social and health care professionals involved in social care and support service planning. This topical series examines areas of particular interest to those in social and community work and related fields. Each book draws together different aspects of the subject, highlighting relevant research and drawing out implications for policy and practice.