Disability: A Diversity Model Approach in Human Service Practice

This comprehensive text fills a huge void in the field! Romel W. Mackelprang and Richard O. Salsgiver introduce an empowerment approach to working with persons with disabilities -- a direction that lights the way for human service workers and provides clients with greater independence and resilience. The authors are ardent in their desire to empower persons with disabilities by building on their strengths. This comprehensive book features a ground-breaking, strengths-based approach that fills a void in the available material on this topic, and thoroughly prepares helpers to work successfully with persons who have disabilities.

Romel W. Mackelprang (DSW, MSW, University of Utah) is the director of the Center for Disability Studies and Universal Access at Eastern Washington University where he has been a social work professor since 1987. Active in disability rights since 1980, he continues to be involved in the independent living movement. He is committed to inclusive policies in which disability is considered integral to diversity in society.

Richard O. Salsgiver (PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University) teaches both Social Work and Rehabilitation at California State University, Fresno. Born with cerebral palsy, he has dedicated his academic career to research and teaching concerning issues around disability and the American culture. His philosophy concerning disability comes out of The Independent Living Movement where he played a key role along with leaders including Judy Heumann, Ed Roberts, June Kailes, and Brenda Premo.