http://www.worksupport.com
Many individuals with disabilities have characterized their typical relationships with
human service and/or rehabilitation professionals as paternalistic or as a “professionals know best”
attitude. This general air of condescension toward individuals with disabilities has many negative and
far reaching implications which ultimately affect the ability for them to direct their own lives and
become fully integrated into their communities. When professionals view persons with disabilities
as “helpless,” employers, family members, and the general public accept this same attitude. The result
is the continuation of negative attitudes and stereotypical images of persons with disabilities
throughout the general public. This same paternalistic attitude exists in the field of supported
employment. Many rehabilitation counselors, case managers, job coaches, and program managers
have been delivering supported employment services and engaging in practices that directly or
indirectly transmit a message to persons with disabilities that “we, the professionals, are in charge.”
Nationally, such complaints as "he just doesn't appreciate the job that I got him" or "if only
I didn't have to deal with her family" are common statements made by professionals. All too often,
these professionals are making decisions for consumers. Professionals who engage in this type of
behavior are imposing their values or the agency's values on the people receiving services. When this
occurs, the rights of people with disabilities are violated. Fortunately, this method of "doing
business" is coming to an end. People with disabilities are speaking out, taking control of their lives,and seeking to direct the services they need. This current movement of people with disabilities
asserting choice and control over their destinies is having a major impact on supported employment
services and has led to a "customer-driven approach" to supported jobs employment.
human service and/or rehabilitation professionals as paternalistic or as a “professionals know best”
attitude. This general air of condescension toward individuals with disabilities has many negative and
far reaching implications which ultimately affect the ability for them to direct their own lives and
become fully integrated into their communities. When professionals view persons with disabilities
as “helpless,” employers, family members, and the general public accept this same attitude. The result
is the continuation of negative attitudes and stereotypical images of persons with disabilities
throughout the general public. This same paternalistic attitude exists in the field of supported
employment. Many rehabilitation counselors, case managers, job coaches, and program managers
have been delivering supported employment services and engaging in practices that directly or
indirectly transmit a message to persons with disabilities that “we, the professionals, are in charge.”
Nationally, such complaints as "he just doesn't appreciate the job that I got him" or "if only
I didn't have to deal with her family" are common statements made by professionals. All too often,
these professionals are making decisions for consumers. Professionals who engage in this type of
behavior are imposing their values or the agency's values on the people receiving services. When this
occurs, the rights of people with disabilities are violated. Fortunately, this method of "doing
business" is coming to an end. People with disabilities are speaking out, taking control of their lives,and seeking to direct the services they need. This current movement of people with disabilities
asserting choice and control over their destinies is having a major impact on supported employment
services and has led to a "customer-driven approach" to supported jobs employment.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar