Before it began, the HELIOS programme, which has sought to promote the integration and independent living of disabled people, was described in the House of Lords as 'possibly the European Commission's first approach to social policy...'. The UK was one of only a few Member States to commission a systematic and independent assessment of involvement in the programme 'from a national perspective'.

Robin Lovelock and Jackie Powell's account of their evaluative study focuses on the fifteen UK-based local projects which participated in the four EC-wide networks forming a key element of the programme's first phase. The several other components of the programme and its overall co-ordination and management are also considered. This important book raises issues concerning the direct involvement of disabled people in programmes seeking to advance their interests.

It is relevant to other initiatives with this aim and to a variety of other EC and national programmes involving networks of local projects as a means of promoting information exchange and innovations in practice and policy.