This article examines the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 and, in particular, Section 3 which deals with the assessment of need. The particular emphasis is concerned with emotional need and counselling as a means of helping. There has been no specific statutory provision or recognition in the Act of the possible usefulness of a service to meet the emotional aspect of coping with and adjustment to disability. A second article will consider the occupational therapist as a counsellor towards attitude change in disability.
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