Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chapter 1. Understanding disability. What is disability? -- Disability and human rights -- Disability and development. 2. Disability: a global picture. Measuring disability -- Prevalence of disability: difficulties in functioning -- Health conditions -- Demographics -- The environment -- Disability and poverty -- Needs for services and assistance -- Costs of disability -- Conclusion and recommendations. 3. General health care. Understanding the health of people with disabilities -- Addressing barriers to health care -- Conclusion and recommendations. 4. Rehabilitation. Understanding rehabilitation -- Addressing barriers to rehabilitation -- Reforming policies, laws, and delivery systems -- Developing funding mechanisms for rehabilitation -- Increasing human resources for rehabilitation -- Expanding and decentralizing service delivery -- Increasing the use and affordability of technology -- Expanding research and evidence-based practice -- Conclusion and recommendations. 5. Assistance and support. Understanding assistance and support -- Barriers to assistance and support -- Addressing the barriers to assistance and support -- Conclusion and recommendations. 6. Enabling environments. Understanding access to physical and information environments -- Addressing the barriers in buildings and roads -- Addressing the barriers in public transportation -- Barriers to information and communication -- Addressing the barriers to information and technology -- Conclusion and recommendations. 7. Education. Educational participation and children with disability -- Understanding education and disability -- Barriers to education for children with disabilities -- Addressing barriers to education -- Conclusion and recommendations. 8. Work and employment. Understanding labour markets -- Barriers to entering the labour market -- Addressing the barriers to work and employment -- Conclusion and recommendations. 9. The way forward: recommendations. Disability: a global concern -- Recommendations -- Conclusion.

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