Living settings for persons with disability : models and practice

Abstract

Persons who have physical or mental impairments need support and assistance from others to accomplish daily living activities and to achieve goals in life. This research sets out to discover the involvements in providing good housing and support services for persons with disability, which help them to reach their ambitions. In order to do this, I will question agencies who cater for persons with disability as well as analyse residential, community and family living settings of persons with disability. I will establish the current models and practices applied in relation to the Independent Living Model and Supported Living Model and determine recommendations, improvements and suggestions for future research. Purpose sampling was used to select participants, and qualitative face-to-face interviews were used to obtain information from key informants, staff members and people with disability. Residential settings aim to offer a permanent home as well as individual support to residents. Rights and choices of residents are highly respected and staff members do the best they can to help clients achieve goals and to live a quality life. The Community Inclusion Programme implemented by Eden Foundation aims to improve the quality of life of persons with disability by teaching them skills and organising fun and innovative activities. Staff members underlie positive values whilst doing their work and to be able to work with persons with disability, staff need to be knowledgeable about the subject of disability.