Mental retardation

About this book

"One in ten Australians is born with a disability. By the year 2000, one in two will suffer a chronic disease or disability which is likely to affect his or her functioning in some significant area of life - education, employment, independent living, marriage, giving birth to and raising children, managing business and financial affairs, entering into contracts, making a will, protecting oneself and one's property. If a person has a mental handicap, how does this affect his or her legal rights? How much responsibility is retained, for making decisions about one's life? What decisions can other people make on behalf of the mentally handicapped individual? What happens when a retarded person attains the age of majority? Complementing these issues of personal autonomy are the issues facing governments, administrators, and policy-makers - such as the provision of free, appropriate education for disabled students; government funding of institutions and projects for disabled people; standards of service; and the enforcement of rights. Almost everyone will be touched by mental retardation at some time - because of a retarded family member, or through working in the field, or by way of a community project for disabled people. This book breaks new ground, by explaining (in easily understood terminology) the legal rights, and status of retarded people, and relating these to the questions of what is best for retarded people and for society as a whole" -- Back cover.