Mobility Training for People with Disabilities.

Mobility Training for People with Disabilities

Mobility Training for People with Disabilities is a good text. It is not an "end-all" or "cure-all" but a solid, basic reference which may be, and should be, widely utilized.

I appreciate the perspective of the author, throughout. The text is clear, concise, comprehensive, practical and informative with significant examples and guidelines.

Although a great deal of the text revolves around the visually impaired, the text reflects an understanding of and appreciation for all groups of individuals with disabilities and all those who are called upon to work with or associate with them. The book is not presumptuous, nor does it try to imply that there is a singular way, the author's way, that mobility can be achieved and clearly identifies a common denominator among all disabilities--mobility.

I further appreciated emphasis on the role and responsibility of the individual with a disability in achieving mobility, the negative effects of lack of mobility, and more importantly, the lack of desire or opportunity to pursue or obtain maximum mobility, and the effect of mobile people with disabilities pursuing normal objectives in normal environs on the general public. Understanding the apprehensions and fears of individuals is appropriately highlighted and in the past has been a significant deterrent. Self-perception and the need to be willing to take risks is also appropriately defined.

The reciprocities of social skills on the part of the individual with a disability and those who surround him is appropriately treated.

Environmental factors, the built environment, are identified, but here the text fails a bit. It identifies the Rehabilitation Act of 1968, The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and subsequent legislation but fails to identify the American National Standards on Accessibility and Usability of All Buildings and Facilities Used by the Public which preceded the aforementioned by many years and was in fact responsible for the aforementioned could apply only to federal buildings and facilities whereas the latter applied to any and all facilities used by the public and was arrived at by volunteer consensus of all groups of disabilities, all responsible professional groups, all related governmental agencies and all those responsible for implementation and enforcement regarding the Standards after considerable research. Many laws and ordinances on accessibility and usability had been established prior to the aforementioned based on the American National Standard. Others had begun doing things in this regard as early as 1949. ANSI-A117.1 continues to be the basis for codes, regulations, ordinances and legislation. Some specifications regarding modifications in homes are misleading in the book.

Another concern is the continual reference to "student," which could lead many older readers to believe that it is not applicable to them. Granted, even an elderly adult becomes a "student" while learning something new, but may not perceive himself as such.

The text should certainly broaden the awareness, understanding and appreciation of professionals, lay persons and individuals with disabilities and should be a most usable reference.

T.J. Nugent, Professor and Director Emeritus, Rehabilitation Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.