A presentation of the experience, perception, and treatment of people with physical and psychological disabilities worldwide. It shares with us the nature of disability, the challenges people with disabilities face, approaches to disability around the world, and promising efforts for rehabilitation that are on the horizon.

. . . an impressively comprehensive three-volume compendium of information about human physical and mental disabilities, grounded in exhaustive academic, field, and cutting-edge research. . . . . an exhaustive, in-depth reference enthusiastically recommended for college library and professional practice reference shelves.

This three-volume set for practitioners, scholars and general audiences features essays that focus on positive approaches for short and long term disability and provide optimistic perspectives on social inclusion that are heralded in the field as an exciting advance. Editors Marshall (educational psychology, Northern Arizona U.), Kendall (health and medical research, Griffith U., Australia), Banks (clinical psychology, U. of Rhode Island) and Gover, an independent writer and consultant, separate these volumes into experience (the definitions, causes and consequences of disability), responses (practice, legal and political frameworks) and context (environmental, social and cultural considerations). Leading experts contribute research and essays on such topics as the challenges of cancer survivors, 'winning' against obesity, mental health disabilities caused by inadequate disaster response, the evolution of disability policy in the United States and global network capabilities for chronic illness and disability.

This three-volume set gives a timely presentation of multidimensional, multidisciplinary, and multicultural perceptions and management of disabilities. . . . All the sources demonstrate the most recent developments in different but related fields, and are seamlessly organized and presented as a holistic picture of current disability studies in the world. This pioneering work integrates multiple disciplines in disability studies and should be added to all academic libraries. . . . Essential. All levels/libraries.

Disabilities fulfills the mission of Perspectives volumes admirably, compiling essays and scholarly chapters that represent a wide range of perspectives varying across types of disabilities.

Catherine A. Marshall is a Research Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Northern Arizona University. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation at Griffith University in Australia and a Senior Scholar with the University of Arizona National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. Marshall has been involved with rehabilitation research for 20 years, and has worked as a counselor or educator in rehabilitation for 30 years. She is the Founder and President of the Women's International Leadership Institute. Elizabeth Kendall is Professor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation at Griffith University, and Associate Director of the Disability, Injury and Rehabilitation Program at the Center for National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine. She has been researching traumatic injury and disability for more 17 years. She completed her PhD on coping following traumatic brain injury and received the Dean's Commendation for Outstanding Thesis in 1997. Martha E. Banks is a Research Neuropsychologist, and has across 30 years worked as a clinician, researcher and professor. She is a former Professor in the Department of Black Studies at The College of Wooster. Banks is the 2008-2009 President of the Society for the Psychology of Women. A past Chair of the American Psychological Association's Women in Psychology Committee and a member of APA's Council of Representatives, she was presented with an APA Presidential Citation in 2008. Reva Mariah S. Gover is a writer/consultant. Currently she lives and works in Tucson, Azizona.