Disability and Health Sourcebook 5th Ed.

Disabilities Sourcebook, Fifth Edition offers people with disabilities and their caregivers information about speech disorders, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, and other types of impairment caused by chronic illness, injury, and trauma. It discusses assistive technology (AT), home-use devices, mobility aids, and therapies. Information about the importance of nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene, and pain management is also provided. For parents of children with disabilities, the book provides facts about special education, including early intervention services, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and other support. Legal, employment, and financial concerns for people with disabilities are also explained. The book concludes with a glossary of related terms and a directory of resources for additional help and information.

This book is divided into parts and chapters consisting of related information and chapters are designed to concentrate on a single topic to make it easier for the readers to gain information on their areas of interest.

Part 2: Types of Disabilities identifies the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common forms of disabling conditions, including birth defects, cerebral palsy (CP), cleft lip and palate, inherited disorders of metabolism, muscular dystrophy (MD), spina bifida (SB), and sensory disabilities. The part also discusses speech disorders, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychiatric disabilities, degenerative diseases, and disabilities caused by injury and trauma such as amputation of the limb, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and spinal cord injury.

Part 3: Technologies and Services That Help People with Disabilities and Their Families provides information about devices, therapies, and supports that help people with disabilities attend school, engage in work, and enjoy recreational activities. Facts about mobility aids such as canes and wheelchairs, home-use medical devices, communication and hearing aids, and low vision devices are discussed, and information about speech, occupational, physical, recreational therapies, and family support services is provided. It also discusses the accessible transportation systems available for people with disabilities.

Part 4: Staying Healthy with a Disability discusses strategies for maintaining physical health and emotional wellness in people who have disabilities. Patients and caregivers will find information on healthy eating, weight management, personal hygiene, and physical activity, as well as tips on managing bowel and bladder problems, pressure sores, pain, depression, and anxiety. The part concludes with details on health insurance concerns, tips on dealing with hospitalization and rehabilitation, and considerations when choosing a long-term care setting.

Part 5: Special Education for Children with Disabilities identifies laws that support the education of children with disabilities, such as the Individuals with Education Act (IDEA), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Facts about evaluating children for disability, early intervention services, individualized education programs (IEPs), and supports, modifications, and accommodations for students are also included.

Part 6: Legal, Employment, and Financial Concerns for People with Disabilities describes disability rights laws that protect people with disabilities from discrimination. It also discusses housing and safety issues for people with disabilities and addresses employment and workplace concerns, Social Security disability benefits, tax benefits, and credits for disabled people. The part concludes by explaining the rights one should know along with the strategy of preparing the people with disability for the future – end-of-life planning.

Part 7: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of important terms related to disabilities. A directory of organizations that help people with disabilities and their families is also included.