DEVELOPMENTAL SOCIAL WORK PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES JULIENE DURAN

DEVELOPMENTAL SOCIAL WORK & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES JULIENE DURAN PAEZ DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE DECEMBER 4, 2017

CONTENT v The Development in the Field v. The Challenge of Disability v. Social Work Approaches v Social Work and Disability v Demographics v Aruban Context

THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD v 10% (650 and 700 million) of the world’s population, are challenged with a disability v Development countries (Global South) vs. Western Countries v The involvement of social work in providing services v The profession has not given high priority to the field v Expert-based Approach People with disabilities are seen as passive recipients of care v Rights-based Developmental Approach Collaborative Approach in which social workers work together with people with disabilities in order to integrate them in society to fully meet their rights.

What Does the word “Disability” means to you?

THE CHALLENGE OF DISABILITY 1. Definition Settlement: v People with disabilities known as one of the more diverse populations v Nature of the disability, gender, culture, socio-economic status, sexual orientation etc. v It makes it difficult to formulate a definition for ‘Disability’ v World Health Organization (WHO) in 1976 v Disability rights activists WHO confuses “Impairment” with “Disability” Impairmen t Disability Handicap

THE CHALLENGE OF DISABILITY (2) v The United Nations (SREOPD) in 1993 v World Health Organization (ICIDH) in 1980 v World Health Organization (ICFDH) in 2001 v The definition of “disability” varies widely from country to country, causing difficulties of the prevalence of disability 2. Discrimination and Exclusion: v Exclusion of people with disabilities from their everyday life such as, employment, schools, politics, social gatherings, development projects v The way people with disabilities are perceived impede their ability to live productive lives v Still viewed in negative terms by a proportion of the population and it remain widespread

SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES v 4 Social Work Models/Approaches: 1. Expert Model 2. Medical Model 3. Charity Model 4. Morality Model 5. Rights-based Development Approach

SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES (2) THE RIGHT-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH v The Right-Based Developmental Approach Challenges vs. Positive Dimensions v Social Model: Offers a critique of oppressive practices v Right Approach: Stresses the role of legal instruments in protecting the well-being of people with disabilities v Developmental Approach: Associated with the integration of people with disabilities into the social and economic life of the community

SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES (3) THE RIGHT-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH v 3 Key elements of Rights-Based Developmental Approach: 1. Emphasizes the leadership of people with disabilities and their organizations on campaigning for rights, services, and opportunities. It also recognizes their right to self-determination and to be protected against discrimination. 2. Places emphasis on community living and seeks to normalize living arrangements of people with disabilities. 3. To promote economic and social integration, it requires social investments that ensure the acquisition of educational qualifications and skills that facilitate the full participation of people with disabilities in the productive economy.

SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES (4) THE RIGHT-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH v The Struggle for Rights: – Pro activists and advocators believe that challenges can be met through social investment and the abolition of discrimination – Campaigns have been long and conflicting – Struggles encountered obstacles and reversals (Discrimination and Oppression) – Examples: Introduction of the sign language and Florence Haskel – Legislative Campaigns were able to include antidiscriminatory clauses (1973) – Adoption of the Convention (United Nations, 2006)

SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES (5) THE RIGHT-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH v Community Living: – Maintenance or care systems (family, monasteries, hospitals, residential facilities and asylums) – “Warehousing” Approach – Mid-20 th century “Supported Living” – Example of Independent living: Anne Emerman (1958) – Initiatives were supported by governments Medical Rehabilitation Approach (promote independent functioning) – Secured Funding Personal attendants and Independent Living Centers – Campaigns over innovations: Adaptable Designs and Universal Designs – Discrimination – Steady Income – Access to public Transportation

Adaptable Design Universal Design

SOCIAL WORK APPROACHES (5) THE RIGHT-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH v Education, Work and Livelihood: – Integration of people with disabilities into the economic life of the community – Now people with disabilities have more chances of being integrated in the work field however, it may be not paid as much as the able-bodied ones. – Different jobs such as, agriculture, farms, housing chores, small family business – Exploitation and discrimination – Self-employment – Education important for securing employment

Policies Education Employment Integration

SOCIAL WORK AND DISABILITY v Social workers have worked in residential or medical settings and have provided counseling and case management services v Securing financial aid, prosthetics, and others services for people with disabilities v The emphasis on self-determination, rights, independent living, and full participation in the life of the community v Expert model Challenged changed the way social workers perceived their participants v It gave the social worker new opportunities and skills to expand their involvement in the field v Advocators for the rights of people with disabilities v Skills in case management, accessing community resources, culture competence, encouraging and helping with decision-making v The collaboration between social worker and participant may contribute to the social workers strengths working with the disabled community

DEMOGRAPHICS v Employment: Western Countries (1999) Women Men With disability 33% 34% Without disability 95% 82% v Education: Canada Less than 8 years With disability 43. 5% Without disability 20. 6% v Present: According to the World Health Organization “ 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability”

ARUBAN CONTEXT v They are at greater risk of experiencing limitations when performing daily activities and/or experiencing restrictions of participation in society. v Organizations: FEPO, FAVI, SVGA, Sonrisa, Trampolin pa Trabou etc.

THANK YOU! ANY QUESTIONS?