Introduction Contextual Framework Disability and Chronic Illness Among African Americans: An Overview Health, Medical, and Rehabilitation Utilization Patterns: Cultural Considerations Cultural Influences on Disabilty and Outcomes Adaptive Functioning Factors Contributing to Employment Success Among African Americans with Disabilities The Role of Social Support in Adaptive Functioning Among African Americans with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities Intrapersonal Resources for Increasing Adaptive Functioning Among African Americans with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Culturally Congruent Approaches Guidelines for Implementing a Social Support Intervention Empowering African Americans Through Increasing Perceptions of Control and Self-efficacy Beliefs Conclusions and Directions for Future Work References Index.