CSD Newsletter
VOL.7, Issue 1
|
|
|
By Tom Nerney
Individuals with psychiatric disabilities represent the largest category of persons with disabilities in the United States. No other category of disability is treated so disparately and remains so inadequately funded that it can truly be said that no coherent national finance policy exists for this population. In the last decade public policy for individuals with physical and cognitive or intellectual disabilities has gradually been coalescing around several important themes. These themes all lead toward greater recognition of community participation, income production or work, control over resources and leading meaningful lives that resemble in allimportant respects the aspirations and ambitions that all Americans have for themselves. This is not to say that these goals have been realized or that the impetus to achieve them does not vary from state to state. |
By Patricia E. Deegan, PhD
Good morning. It is a pleasure and an honor to have this opportunity to speak with such a large and diverse group of people representing 68 countries from around the world. The task that Rehabilitation International has set before us at this 20th World Congress is to Re-Think Rehabilitation. I have been asked to speak on the topic of Re-Thinking Rehabilitation from a user perspective, with an emphasis on obstacles and realities. I would like to begin by dedicating this talk to people with disabilities who are in institutions, nursing homes, custodial care facilities and other places set aside for unwanted and devalued people. Of this I am certain: no progress will be made in rehabilitation until we close down these institutions of human misery and handicaptivity (Gwin, 2001). |
By Neal Adams, MD, MPH, Diane Grieder, MEd, and Nancy Fudge |
|
|
|
