Review of Independent living for physically disabled people.

Reviews the book, Independent living for physically disabled people by Nancy M. Crewe, Irving Kenneth Zola, and Associates (1983). As stated by the authors, one of their goals in writing this text is to bring together a substantial portion of the rapidly growing body of independent living (IL) knowledge, some of which is relatively inaccessible. More importantly, the authors state their wish to present this knowledge in a way that will communicate the challenge and promise of the IL movement to their intended audience, whom they identify as professionals and students already in the field and in closely related fields, as well as disabled individuals. Generally speaking, this book succeeds in meeting its authors' stated objectives. A particularly important reason for this success may be the fact that the book presents the reader with a comprehensive view of the IL movement from a variety of vantage points—historical and cultural, urban and rural, domestic and international, disabled and nondisabled—as well as from numerous professional standpoints. Independent Living for Physically Disabled People is a well-organized and clearly written text that satisfactorily articulates the growing visibility of the IL movement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Technology and handicapped people.

Reviews the book, Technology and handicapped people by the Office Of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress (1983). The Office of Technology Assessment study, conducted from October 1980 to December 1981, was designed to address a broad and complex range of issues affecting the development, marketing, and financing of technologies related to disabled people. Beginning with a systematic review of issues related to delivery of technologies to disabled persons, Part One of Technology and handicapped people focuses on the various definitions of "disability" and examines the demographics of disabled persons in the United States. Part Two of the book emphasizes "appropriate application" of technology as it applies to disabled persons. Parts Three and Four of the book cover public policy and resource allocation as they apply to meeting the needs of disabled individuals. The appendixes of the book cover methodologies of the study and present a glossary of terms and references. This report by the OTA is an excellent first book to acquaint the reader with the field of rehabilitation engineering and assistive devices. It provides a comprehensive and nontechnical overview of current technologies that are being used to remediate the impact of disability. The writing style and the generous use of illustrations greatly enhance the readability of this book. The book does not focus on new emerging technologies in this field, and therefore is of less interest to practicing rehabilitation engineers and adaptive equipment specialists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Handbook of severe disability.

Reviews the book, Handbook of severe disability by W. Stolov and M. Clowers (1981). This book has many strengths that make it a mandatory reference manual for professionals who work with individuals with severe illness and disability. First, the chapters have been written by highly regarded professionals who have clinical and research experience with the disability group about which they write. Thus there is an understanding of the scope of the rehabilitation problem and a commitment to the disability group in question that is apparent in the manner in which the chapters have been written. Second, the scope of the book makes it a useful reference tool for those who work in rehabilitation settings that serve clients with a variety of disabilities. Third, the price of the book is less than $20, which makes it affordable by those who need the information most. Any psychologist who works with a variety of severely disabled persons should be familiar with the information contained in this book. Ordinarily this takes years of on-the-job experience and reading. Thus this book can shorten the learning period considerably. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Managing physical handicaps: A practical guide for parents, care providers, and educators.

Reviews the book, Managing physical handicaps: A practical guide for parents, care providers, and educators by Beverly A. Fraser and Robert N. Hensinger. This is a well-written, information-packed potential source of assistance to those working with the more severely involved members of the physically disabled population. The book contains 14 chapters organized into four sections: (1) Looking Beyond the Patient to the Person, (2) About Physical Handicaps, (3) Techniques and Tips for Helping Those with Severe Impairments, and (4) Looking Ahead. The orientation of the book is centered on the management of the physical disabilities of the childhood population under discussion. This book would serve a very practical purpose not only as a desk reference for teachers and others caring for the severely physically disabled child and young adult in the school system, but in the preservice classrooms of those students preparing for careers in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Disability, work and social policy—Models for social welfare (Springer series on social work, vol. 2).

Reviews the book, Disability, work and social policy—Models for social welfare (Springer series on social work, vol. 2) by Aliki Coudroglou and Dennis L. Poole (1984). This book is dedicated "to the people of PUSH for their determination and courageous example." PUSH, or "People United for Self-Help," was established in 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona. The book addresses rationally and at times with understandable emotion the social and moral problems of caring for disabled persons; it describes the merits of and need for an advocacy organization like PUSH; and it offers a mainstreaming model that conceivably might provide "occupational opportunity for all disabled workers in the least restrictive environment." While most students of social work, rehabilitation, policy science, sociology, and even psychology or medicine would profit from reading this book, it is not clear as to the audience for which it was written or the role it should play in graduate curricula. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Learning disabled children growing up: A follow-up into adulthood.

Reviews the book, Learning disabled children growing up: A follow-up into adulthood by Otfried Spreen (see record 1988-97611-000). Otfried Spreen is well known in the field of human neuropsychology for the thoroughness and perspicacity of his research work. He is also regarded as one of the better writers in the discipline. The work under consideration, Learning Disabled Children Growing Up, is another fine example of both of these talents. In addition to being thorough, insightful, and well written, it is concise and to the point-an attribute all too infrequently encountered in many dissertations on psychological inquiry. What is most important about this work is the unique data that are reported, the circumspect manner in which they are interpreted, and the implications that the general and specific findings have for individual intervention with the learning disabled child and adult as well as social planning for those so afflicted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metaphors for lives and work of independent consultants.

Identifying one's metaphors can provide independent consultants with (a) a better understanding of how their skills and knowledge fit the big picture of their lives and how to use these skills to the greater benefit of their customers, (b) a better experiential flexibility, and (c) an ability to rejuvenate their lives by actively seeking out experiences that form the bases of alternative metaphors. Three metaphors for lives and work of independent human resource development consultants were identified by this qualitative study. Suggestions for practicing independent consultants and future research directions are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Families of the developmentally disabled: A guide to behavioral intervention.

Reviews the book, Families of the developmentally disabled: A guide to behavioral intervention by Sandra L. Harris (1983). Harris states that Families of the developmentally disabled is intended for clinicians who have a basic knowledge of behavior modification, but who may not have experience in applying behavior modification procedures to families with developmentally disabled children. The primary focus of the book is on providing practicing clinicians with a conceptual framework for incorporating behavioral interventions into family treatment situations and parent training programs. The book is divided into five chapters. Each chapter begins with a case study that highlights the issues to be addressed within the chapter, and generally provides the perspective of the author regarding the topic to be addressed. The remainder of each chapter is then devoted to providing a rationale for the perspective, usually containing a liberal number of references to support the author's viewpoint. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Counseling and psychotherapy of work dysfunctions.

Reviews the book, Counseling and psychotherapy of work dysfunctions by Rodney L. Lowman (see record 1993-98413-000). Dr. Lowman's book on work dysfunctions serves as a seminal product for further understanding a much-neglected component of the lives of the many men and women who seek psychological assistance in working through issues around their employment. The book conveys in a well-written, sometimes humorous, style that "work is a natural part of living, and the issues it raises are important parts of character." The overall impression is that of a well-thought-out and most readable book. There is no doubt in this reviewer's mind that it will become essential reading for psychologists, social workers, family therapists, and graduate students who are becoming increasingly involved in this field of study. What this reviewer found very helpful was the clarity of presentation of the assessment techniques as well as the amply illustrated intervention modules that may be utilized. To this reviewer, there is no doubt that this is one area for psychologists' contributions in the future--the work area. Lowman's book gives us basic material from which to continue to build our profession in a new and exciting direction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The work of the counselor.

Reviews the book "The work of the counselor" by Leona E. Tyler (see record 1954-05997-000). As the title indicates, Tyler has attempted not to describe a theory of counseling, but to write of the peculiar work of the counselor, marshalling ideas from experience and from research to throw light on how counseling may most successfully be done. It is therefore an eclectic book in its approach, predominantly nondirective in its philosophy and techniques, but making use of the contributions of testing, occupational information, and environmental resources in a manner more commonly associated with other points of view. Tyler makes her own synthesis of these approaches. The result is a very readable text, suitable for relatively unsophisticated students, in which each chapter concludes with a concise critical summary of relevant research which makes the text appropriate for students with more background and for practitioners. The functions of the counselor in modern society are effectively dealt with in Chapter I, thus starting out by putting the counselor's work in good social and psychological perspective. Chapter II discusses interviewing, stressing the perceptual skills of the counselor and reflection of feeling as a tool but pointing out that these are procedures used by a warm person communicating with another, not tricks of the trade. Chapter III deals with records in a manner that is refreshing among texts of this type: instead of discussing the construction of cumulative records, Tyler treats them as aids to counseling, as sources of hypotheses to explore in counseling, as a means of orientation to a client rather than as bases for diagnosis. The chapter on diagnosis therefore recommends that counseling not be organized around this activity, as it typically is in non-Rogerian settings, but that diagnostic activities be relied upon for initial screening and particularly as means of helping the client to understand himself. Chapters V and VI deal with tests, leaving data on the construction and validation of specific tests to other textbooks, and concentrating on what tests can contribute to the self-understanding of the client and how the counselor can use them for this purpose. The chapter on occupational information also stresses the use of such information in counseling, although brief attention is paid to sources in passing. Chapter VIII deals with psychotherapy, and Chapter IX with decision-making interviews, thereby putting this text practically in a class by itself for comprehensiveness and balance in coverage. In Chapter IX the school counselor is placed in the context of the school as one personnel worker, with the peculiar function of trying not to decide things for the student. A chapter on the selection and training of counselors, and one on evaluation, bring the book to a close. Three appendices include an intake form, notes on some interviews, and selected readings. Although it seems to this reviewer that the book shows an as yet incomplete recovery from the impact of the nondirectivists, it is an extremely valuable text which many of us active counseling psychologists would be glad to have written ourselves! (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Current topics in rehabilitation psychology.

Reviews the book, Current topics in rehabilitation psychology edited by Charles J. Golden (1984). Every few years an edited volume of chapters on rehabilitation psychology is published. The latest contribution, Current Topics in Rehabilitation Psychology, edited by Charles Golden, is written for students, professionals, and educated lay people who want to learn about some of the recent advances in the field. Golden makes clear, and quite correctly so, that the volume is not a comprehensive coverage of all the areas of research, training, and service that are in the domain of rehabilitation psychology. Instead, after two chapters giving an overview of the field, several specific areas are addressed. They include management of chronic pain, cognitive retraining in brain damaged patients, rehabilitation and aging, adjustment of people with spinal cord injury, vocational training of people with severe developmental disabilities, biofeedback, and the role of personality in attitudes toward those with physical disabilities. The book would have profited greatly from more careful editing. Although the quality of writing varies from author to author, the grammatical errors, misspellings, and garbled sentences are uniformly so numerous that they sometimes distract the reader from the valuable content of the chapters. Nevertheless, the book is worthwhile as one that gives an overview of several specific topics and supplies rich bibliographies to those wishing to learn more. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychosocial impact of Hurricane Katrina on persons with disabilities and independent living center staff living on the American Gulf Coast.

Objectives: To determine the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the psychosocial health of people with disabilities and on the ability of people with disabilities in the affected area to live independently. Participants: Transcribed conversations were analyzed for 56 survivors of Hurricane Katrina on the American Gulf Coast, all of whom were persons with disabilities or persons working with them. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted either individually or in focus groups with participants. Qualitative analysis was undertaken using hermeneutic techniques. Results: Six major themes emerged: faith, incredulousness, blaming others or oneself, family adaptation and resiliency, and work and professional responsibility. Conclusions: The resiliency of persons with disabilities to adapt to disasters can be better understood through factors such as these, providing an effective barometer of social capital that can help societies prepare for future disasters among those most vulnerable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Art and disabilities.

Reviews the book, Art and disabilities by F. Ludin Katz and E. Katz (1983). This book describes the mechanics of establishing an art center for persons with disabilities. Although the authors purport to discuss the philosophical and conceptual importance of encouraging an artistic outlet for disabled individuals, the text's real contribution lies in its methodical and detailed "how-to" discussion of implementing an art center. The book is designed to provide a step-by-step account of problems to anticipate and solutions to be tried. Its authors clearly delineate how to establish an independent art center for people with disabilities. From discussion of by-laws to consideration of public relations and financial support, the reader is shown in the most concrete of ways how to establish such a center. In summary, while variable in quality, this book meets its primary objective of presenting a "cookbook" to those hoping to establish a creative arts center. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Competitive employment issues and strategies.

Reviews the book, Competitive employment issues and strategies, edited by Frank R. Rusch (1986). Consistent with its title, the book makes clear that its thrust is competitive employment and that supported work is a means to that end. Several chapters were written by the editor himself; in addition, 38 contributors (many of whom are nationally known in their fields) wrote 24 up-to-date chapters. The result is a comprehensive review, in three sections, of competitive employment programs, competitive employment methods and strategies, and a variety of policy and conceptual issues. This text should prove useful to those for whom it was written: "...advanced undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, service providers, and others interested in...enhancing quality of life for persons with handicaps." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Madness and government: Who cares for the mentally ill?.

Reviews the book, Madness and government: Who cares for the mentally ill? by Emory A. Foley and Steven S. Sharfstein (1983). This book is a fascinating factual account of the struggle to develop community intervention alternatives to the 100-year domination of the state hospital system in the United States. It is the story of the efforts of "Washington's Noble Conspirators," who struggled for more than 20 years after World War II to expand the amount of federal support of medical research, to get federal money into the care of people with mental disorders, and to obtain federal support for the training of mental health personnel and research into the whole area of mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Humor: The psychology of living buoyantly.

Reviews the book, Humor: The psychology of living buoyantly by Herbert M. Lefcourt (see record 2000-14400-000). Lefcourt traces the changing concerns of psychology, and the reason why the psychological study of humour has often been trivialized as an unlikely candidate for research support in the past. The author charts his own personal odyssey in the field, one in which he is drawn to the study of human strengths rather than human frailties. An early chapter sets us up for the remaining chapters by reminding us how we experience humour in everyday life. Verbatim anecdotes from students in previous seminars offer vignettes which allow the reader to grasp the situation vicariously and to see how and why the humour of the situation could have arisen. It is here that Lefcourt confides that his is a functionalist psychological perspective, and that he views humour as a characteristic that has been useful to our species. Here one comes to the crux of the argument for most readers. Is humour, then, a coping strategy, ultimately devised in our evolutionary ramblings, as a protective cushion against the jagged impact of stressful experiences? The middle part of this book explores this hypothesis in a variety of experimental settings, all designed to assess the moderating role of humour in the face of stress. This is a useful, even uplifting, book about the human search for emotional well-being. Its academic value in outlining the history and current thrust of work in the field of humour is obvious, but this reviewer appreciated its bold attempt to provide a more personal view of human adaptation to life's stressful requirements. Very simply, this is a book that resonates with one's understanding of life beyond the research laboratory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Management of work and personal life: Problems and opportunities.

Review of Management of work and personal life: Problems and opportunities edited by Mary Dean Lee and Rabindra N. Kanungo (1984). This book is a selected "proceedings" of a conference on the work-non-work relationships hosted by McGill University in 1983. The fundamental objective of the conference (and hence this book) was to provide a critical overvue of the research on the management and co-ordination of the different life spheres of the individual and to stimulate new ideas at the conceptual, methodological, and or practical level. From a practical point of view, even though most of us recognize that we are living in a changing world, we know very little about what to do about it. Most of the chapters do try to address this practical issue but the vast majority of suggestions are speculative. Again the lack of data is an overwhelming barrier. Overall, however, this is a good book which is recommended to anyone wishing to conduct research in the area. It may also serve as a basic text in graduate courses on the management of work and personal lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Optimizing work performance: A look beyond the bottom line.

Reviews the book, Optimizing work performance: A look beyond the bottom line by Martin Morf (1986). This book is an interesting addition to the rapidly growing list of publications which deal with "improving performance" or "increasing productivity" in the workplace. It is an addition, however, for which an appropriate audience may be difficult to find. Indeed, in attempting to be "of particular interest to those involved in personnel, corporate organization, or industrial relations, as well as to scholars and students of organizational psychology", the book may fail to appeal strongly to any of these groups. This is unfortunate because Martin Morf makes a number of interesting comments in his book--particularly about the relationship between the individual, his or her work, and society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Zest for work.

Reviews the book "Zest for work" by Hersey Rexford (see record 1955-06370-000). The present book includes information about workers in railroad shops. According to the reviewer, the work in this book does not turn up any dramatic discoveries, but the case studies should interest some readers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)