The rehabilitation of disabled persons

Abstract

Rehabilitation is a continuous and often lengthy process. It begins with the occurrence of the accident or the diagnosis of the disease and cannot be considered satisfactorily completed until the individual has achieved his maximum potential as a citizen of his community, within the framework of restrictions imposed by his disability. The maximum potential for a complete invalid may be the achievement of some measure of self care; for a person whose disability prevents return to a former occupation, it may mean the mastering of a new skill sufficiently well to be able to compete on an equal basis with others not thus disabled. Results should not be measured only in terms of physical restoration and job placement. In some instances, satisfactory job placement is secondary to the self-esteem and dignity associated with even a minor degree of independence. Discussion of rehabilitation, however, should not be undertaken without first establishing well-defined terms of reference. The literature is replete with definitions of "rehabilitation" and "disabled person" and it would not be out of place to quote some before one, which suits best the purpose of this paper, is selected. In its widest sense, the torn rehabilitation signifies the whole process of restoring a disabled person to a condition in which he is able to early as possible to resume a normal life. (1) besides medical ant surgical treatment designed to restore physical and mental functions, this interpretation covers also training and resettlement in employment. [...]