What Makes the Last 25 Years Significant for the Disability Field? New AAMR Book Captures a Time of Positive Turbulent Change in America 3/25/2003
From: Anna Prabhala of the American Association on Mental Retardation, 202-387-1968 ext. 212, annap@aamr.org WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Changes, challenges, and controversies marked the period between 1975-2000 for the disability field in America, especially intellectual disabilities. Progressive policy reforms, the rise of self-advocacy, changes in health care delivery, the emergence of behavioral psychology, the quality-of-life revolution of the 1980s, and an increasingly active courts system in disability issues carried the intellectual disability field into a new age of community acceptance and inclusion. Eighteen experts capture the mood and essence of this pivotal era in Embarking on a New Century: Mental Retardation at the End of the 20th Century. "Embarking traces the tremendous changes our society has made in how we view people with cognitive disabilities. Hopefully, these positive transformations and successes will energize us to do even more in the future," said Doreen Croser, executive director of the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), publisher of the book. Embarking consists of 18 chapters by subject specialists and is divided into three thematic sections: public policy changes from 1975-2000; reforms in health care delivery to people with intellectual disabilities; and future challenges for the field. Part I traces federal disability legislation, policy challenges, judicial trends, the evolution of the term mental retardation, and the impact of quality in services provided to people with intellectual disabilities in the last 25 years. Part II explores various issues that have affected intellectual disabilities including the disappearance of psychiatric institutions; the contribution of behavioral sciences; changes in mental health care delivery; growth of family support services; early intervention and prevention; initiatives in nursing; the growing role of paraprofessionals; and self-advocacy. Part III identifies social trends from this 25-year history of intellectual disability in addition to identifying future challenges for the field. "You have to understand the past if you are to successfully move into the future, and that's the spirit behind Embarking," said Robert L. Schalock, editor of the book. "Embarking touches upon every aspect of importance in intellectual disabilities and serves as a vital reference tool for any professional in the field." 265 PAGES. PAPER. ISBN 0-940898-86-1. $49.95. Reviews/interviews - Anna Prabhala (202) 387-1968, Ext 212, annap@aaMr.org Order book: Call 301-604-1340 or email aamr@pmds.com Founded in 1876, AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. |