Articles in this issue include: A Biopsychosocial Perspective; Aging with a Physical Disability: Maintainance and Transition in Employment, Benefits, and Insurance; Psychological Functioning; Exercise and Physical Activity; Communication Issues; Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Dysruption; Assistive Technology; Mobility and Falls Cognitions; Aging and Disabilties: Conceptual Issues; Aging with a Physical Disability: Bridging the Aging and Disability Nexus; Aging with Spinal Cord Injury; Aging with Multiple Sclerosis; Aging with Post-Polio Syndrome and Muscular Dystrophy; Aging with Cerebral Palsy.

The future of disability in America will depend on how well the U.S. prepares for and manages the demographic, fiscal, and technological developments that will unfold during the next two to three decades. Building upon two prior studies from the Institute of Medicine (the 1991 Institute of Medicine's report Disability in America and the 1997 report Enabling America), The Future of Disability in America examines both progress and concerns about continuing barriers that limit the independence, productivity, and participation in community life of people with disabilities. This book offers a comprehensive look at a wide range of issues, including the prevalence of disability across the lifespan; disability trends the role of assistive technology; barriers posed by health care and other facilities with inaccessible buildings, equipment, and information formats; the needs of young people moving from pediatric to adult health care and of adults experiencing premature aging and secondary health problems; selected issues in health care financing (e.g., risk adjusting payments to health plans, coverage of assistive technology); and the organizing and financing of disability-related research. The Future of Disability in America is an assessment of both principles and scientific evidence for disability policies and services. This book's recommendations propose steps to eliminate barriers and strengthen the evidence base for future public and private actions to reduce the impact of disability on individuals, families, and society.

This is the first book to address the issue of ageing after a long life with disability. It breaks new ground through its particular life course perspective, examining what it means to age with a physical or mental disability and what the implications are of 'becoming old' for people who have had extensive disabilities for many years. These people may have had to leave the labour market early, and the book looks at available care resources, both formal and informal. Ageing with disability challenges set ideas about successful ageing, as well as some of those about disabilities. The life course approach that is used unfolds important insights about the impact of multiple disabilities over time and on the phases of life. The book highlights the meaning of care in unexplored contexts, such as where ageing parents are caregivers or regarding mutual care in disabled couples. These are areas of knowledge which have, to date, been totally neglected.

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Paying special attention to the feelings, attitudes, and needs of people with disabilities--three chapters are written by authors who have a disability--Aging with a Disability gives students and clinicians a reliable and compassionate handbook for the treatment of this growing population.