The Family as Pomoter of Independent Living
Background
The issue of the families of people with disabilities is complex. On the one hand, the family is an important source of support and assistance for the person with disabilities while, on the other hand, it is sometimes a factor in delaying a disabled person’s independence and integration into the community. In Israel, the professional community’s attitude to disabled persons’ families focuses mainly on minors with disabilities. When the case concerns an adult, the family is not considered a relevant factor by the community systems.
However this is in fact a missed opportunity, as many of those with disabilities continue to be helped by their family, and these families needs support and guidance. In addition, many disabilities appear only during adult life, when the people affected are already parents. To accept the disability and to adapt to a new lifestyle is a challenge both for the disabled person and for his/her family. In the last decade, the number of families in which one or both parents have disabilities has been rising, and this necessitates taking new needs into account, e.g. the special needs of disabled parents who have children who are not disabled, or the needs of a couple when one of the partners is disabled.
Goals
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To expand and deepen the knowledge about the needs of families in which one member is disabled.
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To identify the levels of intervention that contribute to a disabled family member’s independent living in the community.
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To assist the disabled and their families to cope with emergency security and personal situations.
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To develop models of programs for scaling-up.
Target Population
Families of people with disabilities, the disabled persons themselves, professionals and policymakers.
Program Components
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Formation of a network of bodies interested in the issue.
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Study of the professional literature.
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Development of intervention programs to educate families and to train professionals.
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Evaluation and dissemination of knowledge.
Activities To Date
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Preparation of a focused literature review on the subject of disability in adulthood within the family context.
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A comprehensive program was operated in the north of the country and in Sderot, including support groups, learning groups for parents of the disabled, the Mothers Project in which long-disabled mothers mentor young disabled mothers, training workshops in various skills, family respite and consolidation programs, production of publications, training of professionals and volunteers.
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Oneday seminar held at Haifa University.
