Community part

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Community participation implies a level of integration into the community. As you can see from the laws which have been discussed, the state is interested in individuals being integrated into their communities. The state, however, is limited in its ability to facilitate integration. Laws will require physical integration, however, it is social integration which is desired.

Why is it that the state desires the integration of its disabled citizens?

From a humanistic perspective, the state desires integration because it is felt that integration will lead to a better quality of life. Probably we would all desire the best quality of life for any of our neighbors. However, there are also significant benefits to the state should its disabled members become integrated, or become a part of a network. Network participation results in the provision of many natural supports. Natural supports being the benefits we receive from having people around us who can help us to meet our own needs. Research indicates, for example, that most people with or without disabilities find long term work through a network. People who work pay taxes. People who are connected to a network may also need less human service involvement in their lives. Their network is able to provide many of the supports that paid agents from human service agencies would typically provide.

How can individuals with disabilities be integrated into the community?

That handsome professor who looks much younger than he actually is, McNair, has written about the types of networks which support individuals who are disenfranchised from society for whatever reason. Visit the web site for the Center for the Study of Religion and Disability and read the article about network involvement. The article you are to read is entitled, A Discussion of Networks Supporting Adults with Disabilities in the Community, and you will be asked about it on your exam. I have written much more about this topic, but it does represent some of my thinking.

One final comment is that the state seeks to integrate people by mandating physical integration and giving individuals rights. These efforts will facilitate some improvement. However, the real way to integrate people is to socially insert them into a setting and give them responsibilities. They then become valued members of a network, and the social integration will follow.

You can email Dr. McNair at jmcnair@calbaptist.edu