FROM THE EDITORS

A United States senator conducts pressing affairs of state for his constituents and for the nation from a wheelchair. A professional baseball pitcher thrills sports fans with his strikeout prowess, despite the fact that he has only one fully-developed arm. A young man with Down syndrome becomes a pivotal character in a popular U.S. television series. A child born without arms and legs becomes, with the help of prostheses and gritty inner strength, a leading attorney and social activist.

Year after year, people across the United States are becoming attuned to the presence and potential of individuals with disabilities of varying types -- both physical and psychological. Celebrities such as those mentioned above are only a small -- if highly visible -- part of the story. The fact is that millions of people with disabilities are engaging in productive, gratifying endeavors as never before.

To a large extent, the spark was ignited by people with disabilities themselves, who fought for, and won, legislation that -- during the past generation -- has helped change the face of U.S. society. So, too, have scientific and technological achievements benefitting people with disabilities, and inclusive policies across the spectrum of education. Legislation and new tools, however, can accomplish only so much. Equally challenging, and just as vital, has been the struggle to change perceptions and attitudes. Within the disability rights community, there is widespread agreement that the overall struggle is beginning to bear fruit.

The issue of how to meet the needs of people with disabilities -- whether by executive fiat, legislation or societal evolution -- is being confronted beyond the borders of the United States as well. Concerned citizens in many countries are starting to interact with professionals and activists in the United States on this topic, and with each other as well.

The purpose of this journal is to inform audiences worldwide as to current developments in the United States on the subject at hand. Ideally, it may also assist the networking process. It describes how awareness and concern have been fostered in the United States by the disability rights movement itself, by the thousands of men and women whose mandate is to assist those with disabilities, by the scientific and technological sectors, and by other individuals -- both those with and without disabilities. We hope that these articles and reference sources will enable interested parties to become more informed, and to continue interacting so that the global society will progress in this effort on behalf of many millions of the world's citizens.