This paper describes factors which influence the development of relationships between individuals with disabilities and "typical" people. People with disabilities are often separated from their families and communities, cast into roles of dependency and passivity, and kept at a social distance from other community members. Typical community members lose the chance to meet, get to know, and be with individuals with disabilities. By entering a program, people with disabilities are turned into "clients." Being a client can create barriers in the development of reciprocal and nourishing relationships with others. Six characteristics have been identified that are experienced by typical people in their efforts to meet others and develop relationships, and these characteristics may not be as available for people with disabilities. These qualities include opportunity, support, diversity, continuity, freely chosen relationships, and intimacy. A variety of accepting relationships between typical and disabled individuals is possible, and partners in such relationships report a reciprocity in their interactions that may not be apparent to the outside observer. Human services workers are encouraged to provide opportunities where people can comfortably come together to meet each other. An annotated bibliography is appended, listing six related reading items. (JDD)