Dempsey, I. & Nankervis, K., Eds. (2005). Community Disability Services: An Evidence-Based Approach to Practice. West Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue University Press, 398 pages. Paper, 1557534144, $42.95.

Reviewed by Pearl Subban, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Services offered to individuals with disabilities and the availability thereof continue to form the central focus of several debates in recent times. An edited book, containing contributions from individuals across a spectrum of disability studies, offers a wide range of perspectives and brings considerable degrees of expertise into the discussion around disability services. Its contributors span several fields in the area of disability studies, ranging from academia to community organizations. Collectively, they bring to the table, a richly informed opinion.

Community Disability Services offers a remarkably comprehensive and opportune set of studies relating to disability services. It proposes viable and straightforward advice to service providers, practitioners and students of disability studies. Divided into three parts, the book is organized around an evidence-based approach, which represents the thinking and discussion around disability services in the contemporary world.

Editors Ian Dempsey and Karen Nankervis set the stage for a well-rounded discussion on community supports for individuals with disabilities, by constructing a framework for the offerings within this text, and by drawing parameters around the topics of greatest interest. Beginning with historical perspectives, Part One deliberates the directing philosophies that maintain support services to people with disabilities by considering their aims, desires and experiences. Other contributions in this segment, consider disability from a human rights perspective, with individuals with disabilities being considered within the context of a partnership with mainstream society. Against this backdrop, contributors challenge practitioners regarding the conversion of policy and theory, into practice.

Part Two centers on assistance that can be made available to individuals with disabilities in order to make possible their membership and involvement in society at large. Contributors here investigate the degree and quality of choices offered to individuals with disabilities, when contemplating support services on offer to them. Contributors comprehensively examine the pertinent issue of empowerment and risk-management within such decision-making. Other issues of note in this section include the involvement within and by communities, best-practices in the provision of community-based support services and future directions that these practices could take.

Commencing with discussion on Australian disability legislation, Part Three attempts to bridge the gap between quality disability services and disability support users. Discussions concentrate on professional ethics, the most contemporary service models, organizational management and communication among stakeholders.

Community Disability Services offers valuable insights into the provision of services to individuals with disabilities. Its knowledgeable and practical approach forges a cohesive link between policy and practice. It will no doubt be an indispensable reference and guide to individuals working in this field.