Introduction

Abstract

The word ‘disability’ conjures up images of a kind that few would consider enviable. On hearing it, a typical reaction may be to think of wheelchairs, charity collecting boxes and individuals constantly in need of medical care. Indeed, until very recently, any discussion of disability policies may have gone little further than an inventory of the welfare benefits and social services available to help ‘those less fortunate than ourselves’. Academics have even published papers on how to ‘break the bad news’ to parents when their baby is born with an impairment (Krauss-Mars and Lachman, 1994).