| Abstract: | Recent federal legislation mandates integration of disabled Americans into the mainstream of our society. Consequently, there is a need for more information about physically disabled persons. Librarians and other professionals must acquire a realistic understanding of the perspectives and concerns of people with disabilitites. This understanding is best gained from contact with the disabled themselves. While extensive personal contact with the disabled is not possible for many people, they can acquire this understanding by reading the periodical literature published for (and often by) disabled persons. These periodicals serve several important functions for disabled consumers, and their emphases have changed as the information demands of the disabled have evolved over the years. To librarians and other professionals, these periodicals offer information not found elsewhere about publications and services for the disabled. More importantly, they can educate librarians, rehabilitation professionals, and the general public about the needs and abilities of those Americans who are physically disabled. |
