Disability studies and human service professions aim to address persistent and emerging issues. To begin addressing those issues, Associate Professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work Chris Flaherty, Ph.D., and his co-author, Debra A. Harley, Ph.D., CRC, LPC, have recently published the only introduction to disability book with an interdisciplinary perspective that offers cross-disability and intersectionality coverage.
“Disability Studies for Human Services: An Interdisciplinary and Intersectionality Approach,” is a comprehensive and reader-friendly textbook, offering current, evidence-based knowledge on the key principles and practice of disability, while addressing advocacy, the disability rights movement, disability legislation, public policy, and law.
Focusing on significant trends, the new text provides coverage on persistent and emerging avenues in disability studies that are anticipated to impact a growing proportion of individuals in need of disability services. Woven throughout is an emphasis on psychosocial adaptation to disability supported by case studies and field-based experiential exercises.
Additionally, the text addresses the roles and functions of disability service providers. It also examines ethics in service delivery, credentialing, career paths, cultural competency, poverty, infectious diseases, and family and lifespan perspectives.
In anticipation of the textbook’s release, a special one-hour webinar was held on January 21, 2021. A recording of this webinar has been made available to the public, which features Flaherty, Harley, and Anthony Dotson, MSA, MMAS, Lieutenant Colonel (retired). You can watch the webinar here or at the bottom of the page.
The webinar, “Interdisciplinary and Intersectionality in Disability and Human Services in a Time of Challenge,” will explore the interdisciplinary and integrative approach to addressing timely topics such as infectious diseases; military culture, trauma and mental health of veterans; poverty; professional ethics in practice; and offender populations. More than just the “what’s” and “whys”, attendees will learn the “how’s” of intersectional strategies to service delivery.
For those who wish to purchase a copy of the new textbook, they can use the code HarleyFlaherty25 for 25% off the list price which includes free ground shipping in the domestic US. This offer is valid for the next six months. Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers. Faculty support includes PowerPoints, model syllabi, test bank, and instructor manual.
About the Authors:
Debra A. Harley, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
Provost Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Early Childhood at the University of Kentucky
Debra A. Harley, Ph.D., CRC, LPC, is a Provost Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education at the University of Kentucky. She is co-coordinator of the doctoral program in Counselor Education. Dr. Harley’s research interests include disability issues, cultural diversity, substance use disorder, gender issues, LGBTQ, and ethics. She has published books entitled Disability Studies for Human Services: An Interdisciplinary and Intersectionality Approach; Cultural Diversity in Mental Health and Disability Counseling for Marginalized Groups; Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation in Rural Setting; Handbook of LGBT Elders: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Principles, Practices, and Policies; and Contemporary Mental Health Issues Among African Americans.
Chris Flaherty, Ph.D., MSW
Associate Professor in the University of College of Social Work
Chris Flaherty, Ph.D., MSW, is an Associate Professor in the University of College of Social Work. He is director of the College’s Military Behavioral Health (MBH) Research Laboratory, as well as the Graduate Certificate in MBH. He serves as a primary investigator for the US Army/UK Master of Social Work Education Collaborative. Dr. Flaherty’s research focus is in the area of behavioral health interventions for military and veteran populations. He currently serves as co-Investigator for the Department of Defense sponsored research to improve suicide postvention services within military settings.
Additionally, Dr. Janet Ford, Dr. Blake Jones, and Anthony Dotson, MSA, MMAS, Lieutenant Colonel (retired), served as contributing authors for the textbook.
