The book is unique in two distinct ways. First, it focuses on improving quality of life in contrast to other books that have tended to focus more on its conceptualization and assessment. Second, it deals with improving quality of life in a variety of disabled populations, not just one, and includes chapters on people with chronic mental or physical conditions and those without disabilities at all (i.e. so-called normal people). The book outlines some of the challenges and controversies in the quality-of-life domain and attempts to synthesize the key issue and to draw generalizable conclusions. The book is mainly for university students and faculty and practitioners from various disciplines working in the field. It will also interest those members of the general public who wish to improve their own quality of life or that of their relatives or friends.

Originally published in 1976, this introductory text for those intending to work with slow learners was concerned with the practical implications of recent British and North American research in the field of psychology and education at the time. Slow learners are young people who for a variety of reasons, continuously or for long periods, under-function in terms of intelligence, educational attainment and social skills. This book offers a clear analysis of the problems facing slow learners, their psychology and the types of education open to them. Dr Brown reassesses the needs of disabled children and adults in the context of their families, with the emphasis on the practical level of activity and training possible for them. The aim is the integration of the disabled person in society, and the belief is that services for the disabled should be integrated, with no professional person working on an isolated basis, but as part of a multidisciplinary professional team. Design for individuals entering the field of teaching, particularly those concerned with special education, training and rehabilitation programmes, the book should also be of value to social workers, psychologists and other professional people working in the field, as well as to parents of disabled children.

We all long for a life of purpose and fulfilment. Striving for high quality of life for us and those we care for is a powerful motivator. Many busy people dream of being lazy by a pool fanned by a soft summer breeze, but this does not last. A short time of rest and replenishment is quickly replaced by boredom and a sense of purposelessness. Quality of life is much deeper than material comfort, though this has a role. Sadly in our world today, many people live lives lacking in meaning and value: the unemployed, the underemployed, those with disabilities who would like to contribute to society but are deprived the opportunity. Their quality of life is not what it could be. In this book, we have attempted to provide examples of how people face challenges, and the family members, professionals and care personnel who support them can be helped and supported through services working within a quality of life framework. The book provides a challenge to be addressed by the individual, their families, local communities, governments, international organisations and the society at large.

The book is unique in two distinct ways. First, it focuses on improving quality of life in contrast to other books that have tended to focus more on its conceptualization and assessment. Second, it deals with improving quality of life in a variety of disabled populations, not just one, and includes chapters on people with chronic mental or physical conditions and those without disabilities at all (i.e. so-called normal people). The book outlines some of the challenges and controversies in the quality-of-life domain and attempts to synthesize the key issue and to draw generalizable conclusions. The book is mainly for university students and faculty and practitioners from various disciplines working in the field. It will also interest those members of the general public who wish to improve their own quality of life or that of their relatives or friends.