The Philosophy of Independent
Living
What is it?
The Independent Living philosophy is
based on the belief that persons with disabilities have the same basic human
rights as persons without disabilities to participate in and contribute to
community life. It is about disabled persons having the right and seeking the
opportunity to be self-determined in matters such as living arrangements,
transportation, social life, employment, and physical care.
Independent Living is a drastic shift
away from the view that disabled is equivalent to sick and dependent - that
persons with disabilities need to be looked after, cared for,...pitied, because
they’re disabled. Independent Living’s fundamental principal is
empowerment rather than "care". It is about choice. It is
about self-determination. It means having every opportunity to be as
self-sufficient as possible. And, it respects each person’s understanding
of what independence is for them.
What is it not?
Independent Living does NOT seek to
define independence and then ask others to fit into that definition. And,
Independent Living does NOT seek to ignore professionals.
The Bottom Line
Independent Living IS interested in
having a person with a disability direct his/her own life and services.
Independent Living IS interested in promoting better utilization of services.
Independent Living IS interested in a disabled person’s sense of
self-esteem. Bottom line, Independent Living is BOTH a philosophy of life AND a
philosophy for service provision. |
