How to Assist an Individual with Disabilities in Community Living
by According to the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 and 2005, people with disabilities have the absolute right to live and work in the community. Some people need support in becoming their own self advocate, though.
Self advocacy is the most important skill to ensure success in the community. Promote and encourage self advocacy. Let the individual tell you his wants and needs instead of assuming that an individual wants or needs your help. Ask. Once you have listened to the problem, assist the individual with finding the solution that allows the greatest amount of independence.
Some people need support in becoming their own self advocate. The best person for this task is a natural support. Natural supports are those persons in the community who choose to be available for friendship, transportation assistance, and other relationship building activities, but are not paid to do so. Supporting individuals in community living can be a challenge, but the benefit to the individual and the community is enormous.
People with disabilities are neither heroes nor objects of pity. We all have challenges. We all face frustrations and denials of access at some point or another. The important thing to remember is that we are all people, and act accordingly.
Promote accessibility. Borrow a wheelchair for a day and go to all the places you like to go. Blindfold yourself and do the same, with someone along to keep you from walking into traffic or falling. Take note of any difficulties you experience: steps leading to picnic shelters; ramps that are too steep, short and narrow; elevator doors that close too quickly or are always out of order; bathroom doors and stall doors too narrow; buses with no wheelchair lifts or whose lifts are not working properly; water fountains and sinks too high to use; no audible signal on crosswalks; segregated accessible seating; menus and other informational signs in small print; movies and television stations with no captioning.
Patronize accessible businesses, and let them know why you are doing so. Talk to owners who could do more to make their business accessible. Help brainstorm ways for them to modify their business. Lobby for funding for remodeling public buildings for increased accessibility.
Be sensitive to the individual’s need for confidentiality and independence. Do not discuss the individual with others as if he or she is not present. Do not violate confidences unless the individual would be in danger of imminent harm. Do not jump to do everything for the person. Instead, ask if he or she wants assistance or would rather do things for themselves. There are many devices that help aid with dressing, transfers from bed to wheelchair to vehicle, synthesized speech, bathing, and other activities of daily living that we all take for granted.
Become a natural support. Natural supports are members of the community who choose to be a friend, advocate, and even family member. Anyone who is available to help an individual without being paid to do so is a natural support: pastors, Sunday school and public school teachers, Meals on Wheels delivery drivers, neighbors and friends.
Encourage political activism. Assist individuals in learning to exercise all of their rights by registering to vote. Make sure that candidates for public office give consideration to the needs of people with disabilities while still in the campaign stage. Do not allow them to get away with window dressing and feel-good statements. Hold public officials and candidates for office accountable.
Resources
Self Advocacy
Developing Natural Supports
Research and Training Center on Community Living
Disability Discrimination Act
United States Access Board
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Post Commentwrightwords
On June 10, 2009 at 9:23 am
Thanks for this. I think it has come to me at the right time, now that im thinking on initiating a system for the poor, old and less priviledged…thanks.
Regarding the links at the bottom of the article, they are not active, which could have made them better.
Meg Smith
On June 30, 2009 at 4:43 am
Thank you for your advice about the links. I have submitted a fix and they should be active soon.
Faith09
On July 6, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Wonderful article. I appreciate your diligent advise to us all on the difficulties for people with disabilities. This is a topic many don’t discuss and others live in the shadows of as a result. Thank you for bringing it to light and speaking out. Keep doing so.
Best of luck!
OrmusNation
On September 27, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I work as a PCA (personal care assistant) for My 13 year old cousin. He has muscular dystrophy, a horrible genetic disease.
I have watched him grow up, when He was younger, He could walk and run and play. At the age of 6, He lost his ability to walk and was placed in a wheel chair. The devastating disease is slowly progressing, taking away his ability to move his arms.
It’s so hard to watch, knowing that one day, He will die. Suffering his entire life. I know, when we go out, People give him looks, some point and laugh. Those people are ignorant, they don’t understand, just how good they have it….
Meg Smith
On September 27, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Sorry to hear that, Ormus. Do you and your family have access to respite care?