The first three chapters lay the foundations by discussing the demand for counseling services by individuals with all types of disabilities; presenting clinical, legal, medical/biological, and personal definitions of disability; and describing physical, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities. Next, author Julie Smart examines core beliefs about disability using a range of first-person accounts from experienced counselors. The last six chapters focus on practice guidelines for various aspects of disability—including ethical considerations, societal issues, social role demands, and individual responses—and consider new possibilities for disability counseling professions.