This book will help prepare the reader to work across disabilities by providing knowledge and training grounded within the ecological framework in four principal areas.The four principal areas reader will be trained in are: the societal environment and disability; disability and the individual experience; essential skills for social work micro, mezzo, and macro practice with people with disabilities; and the resource and support network for persons with disabilities. The book is organized around four units, each of which addresses one of the areas noted. It is not the purpose of this book to enable the reader to gain expertise in any one disabling condition or impairment. Rather, the goal is to provide a broad base of knowledge and skills, which will enable the reader to work effectively across a variety of disabling conditionsSpecial educators, social workers,parentsThe tool you need to work effectively across a variety of disabling conditions! Personal narratives provide an inside look at the experiences of people with a wide variety of disabilities Agency vignettes and histories provide an understanding of the development and role of several different kinds of public and private sector agencies addressing the needs of people with disabilities Chronological description of disability legislation