HB II DB (1). Week 6

The article that stuck out most to me is People with Disabilities and Social Work: Historical and Contemporary Issues. I found it interesting and both heart breaking reading the views on people with disabilities as it changed during the centuries. The judeo-christian beliefs had me the most distraught. It described people with disabilities as sinners, god’s displeasure, crippled, etc. One concept that I took away from this article was the independent living perspective. This showed people with disabilities has no barriers. They are responsible consumers. I choose a video to portray people with disabilities in the independent living perspective. This video highlights all the positive attributes show that someone with a disability can do the same things that people without can do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddpMSViTuws

Student 2. E. Rodriguez.

A specific key take away that I got from Mackerlprang & Salsgiver (1996) People with Disabilities and Social Work: Historical and Contemporary Issues was the independent living perspective that “advocates a natural support system under the direction of the consumer” (p.11). The article explained that people with disabilities are given very few opportunities to develop skills that allow them to be more independent and self-sufficient. It specifically calls for a strength based perspective. Instead, as social workers we should always strive to have them become active participants in all the decision making phases of their lives. I currently work with a disable client who has been disable for more than twenty-five years. He lives independently and manages most his medical care all on his own. At seventy-four years old, he has an amazing memory and ability to do a lot of things on his own. Living independently even at seventy-four gives him a great sense of capacity and worth. A representation of disability that aligns with my takeaway is an article I recently came across about a women with autism who became the first openly autistic lawyer. This women’s disability does not define or limit her capabilities, dreams, or aspirations. Just like my client’s disability does not limit him from living his life the way he wants.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-with-autism-admitted-to-florida-bar-becomes-first-openly-autistic-lawyer-family-says/