Traditional medicine

The concept of "independent living. The concept of independent living as a philosophy and methodology of social work Changes in research approaches to assessing the place of disabled people in society

1.1 Definition of “independent living” for a disabled person

Disability is a limitation in capabilities caused by physical, psychological, sensory, cultural, legislative and other barriers that do not allow a person who has it to be integrated into society on the same basis as other members of society. Society has a responsibility to adapt its standards to the special needs of people with disabilities so that they can live independent lives.

In a philosophical understanding, independent living is a way of thinking, a psychological orientation of an individual, which depends on its relationships with other individuals, on physical capabilities, on the environment and the degree of development of support service systems. The philosophy of independent living encourages a person with a disability to set himself the same goals as any other member of society. The independent living philosophy views disability in terms of a person's inability to walk, hear, see, speak, or think in normal terms.

Independent life - involves the removal of dependence on the manifestations of the disease, the weakening of the restrictions generated by it, the formation and development of the child’s independence, the formation of the skills necessary in everyday life, which should enable integration, and then active participation in social practice, full-fledged life activities in society.

To become truly independent, people with disabilities must confront and overcome many obstacles. Explicit (physical environment), as well as hidden (attitudes of people). If you overcome them, you can achieve many benefits for yourself. This is the first step towards living a fulfilling life as employees, employers, spouses, parents, athletes, politicians and taxpayers - in other words, to fully participate and be active members of society.

The following declaration of independence was created by a disabled person and expresses the position of an active person, a subject of his own life and social change.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF A DISABLED PERSON

Don't see my disability as a problem.

Don't feel sorry for me, I'm not as weak as I think.

Do not treat me as a patient, as I am simply your fellow countryman.

Don't try to change me. You don't have the right to do this.

Don't try to lead me. I have the right to my own life, like any person.

Don't teach me to be submissive, humble and polite. Don't do me a favor.

Recognize that the real problem that people with disabilities face is their social devaluation and oppression, and prejudice against them.

Please support me so that I can contribute to society to the best of my ability.

Help me know what I want.

Be someone who cares, takes the time, and who doesn't fight to do better.

Be with me even when we fight each other.

Don't help me when I don't need it, even if it gives you pleasure.

Don't admire me. The desire to live a fulfilling life is not admirable.

Get to know me better. We can become friends.

1.2 History of the development of the social and medical model

Regardless of the degree of development of society, there have always been people in it who are especially vulnerable due to the limitations of their physical or mental capabilities. Historians note that in the ancient world, discussions about anomalies and diseases were not separated from general philosophical views, intertwined with thoughts about other natural phenomena, including human life.

In Plato's dialogue "The Republic" the problem of anomaly is illuminated in a social sense. On the one hand, in the spirit of the traditions of “Spartan charity”, a person suffering from a serious illness throughout his life is useless both for himself and for society. This position is expressed by Aristotle in his work “Politics”: “Let this law be in force that no crippled child should be fed.” Spartan doctors - gerousii and ephors - belonged to the highest government officials; they were the ones who made the decision: to keep alive this or that patient, a newborn (when a weak, premature child was born), his parents, a frail old man, or “help” them die. In Sparta, death was always preferred to illness or infirmity, regardless of the social status of the patient, even if he was a king. This is precisely what “mercy in the Spartan way” consisted of.

During the Middle Ages, the strengthening of religious dictate, primarily of the Roman Catholic Church, was associated with the formation of a special interpretation of any developmental disorder and any disease as “possession by the devil,” a manifestation of an evil spirit. The demonological interpretation of the disease determined, firstly, the passivity of the patient, and secondly, the need for emergency intervention of the Holy Inquisition. During this period, all seizures, epileptics, and hysterics were subjected to rituals of “exorcism.” A special category of specialists appeared in the monasteries, to whom the above-mentioned patients were brought for “cure.”

During the Renaissance, humanistic trends emerged in medicine; doctors began to visit monasteries and prisons, monitor patients, and try to evaluate and comprehend their condition. The restoration of Greco-Roman medicine and the discovery of a number of manuscripts date back to this time. The development of medical and philosophical knowledge helped to understand the spiritual and physical life of the anomalous.

In pre-Petrine Rus', diseases were seen as the result of God's punishment, as well as as a consequence of witchcraft, the evil eye, and slander.

The first Russian state act dates back to the reign of Ivan the Terrible and is included in the Stoglavy Code of Laws as a separate article. The article asserts the need to care for the poor and sick, including those “who are demon-possessed and devoid of reason, so that they do not become a hindrance and a scarecrow for the healthy and to give them the opportunity to receive admonition or bring them to the truth.”

A change in attitude towards persons with developmental problems has been noted since the second half of the 18th century. - a consequence of the influence of the ideas of humanism, reformation, the development of universities, the acquisition of personal freedoms by certain classes, the emergence of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (Article I of the Declaration proclaimed that “people are born and remain free and equal in rights”). From this period, in many states, first private and then public institutions began to be created, whose functions included providing medical and pedagogical assistance to people with disabilities.

Since the second half of the 20th century, the world community has been building its life in accordance with international legal acts of a humanistic nature. This was largely facilitated by two factors: colossal human casualties and the violation of human rights and freedoms during the Second World War, which showed humanity the abyss in which it could find itself if it did not accept for itself as the highest value, as the goal and meaning of existence of society itself. a person – his life and well-being.

A significant impetus for the development of the "social model of disability" was the essay "The Critical Condition", which was written by the British disabled person Paul Hunt and was published in 1966. Hunt, in his work, argued that people with disabilities posed a direct challenge to conventional Western values, since they were perceived as “miserable, useless, different, oppressed and sick.” Hunt's analysis showed that people with disabilities were perceived as:

“unfortunate” - because they cannot enjoy the material and social benefits of modern society;

"useless" - because they are seen as people who are unable to contribute to the economic well-being of society;

members of an “oppressed minority” – because, like blacks and homosexuals, they are perceived as “deviant” and “different.”

This analysis led Hunt to conclude that people with disabilities face “prejudice that results in discrimination and oppression.” He identified the relationship between economic and cultural relations and people with disabilities, which is a very important part of understanding the experience of living with handicaps and disabilities in Western society. Ten years later, in 1976, an organization called the Handicap Alliance Against Isolation took Paul Hunt's ideas a little further. UPIAS has come up with its own definition of disability. Namely:

“Disability is an impediment or restriction in activity caused by the modern social order which pays little or no attention to people who have physical defects and thus excludes them from participation in the main social activities of society.”

The fact that the UPIAS definition was relevant only to people with only physical defects then caused many criticisms and complaints about such a presentation of the problem. While UPIAS was understandable, the organization acted within its purview: by definition, UPIAS membership consisted only of people with physical disabilities, so UPIAS could only make statements on behalf of this group of disabled people.

This stage of development of the social model can be characterized by the fact that for the first time disability was described as restrictions imposed on disabled people by the social structure of society.

It was not until 1983 that disability scholar Mike Oliver defined the ideas expressed in Hunt's work and the UPIAS definition as the "social model of disability." The social model was expanded and refined by scientists from Britain such as Vic Finkelstein, Mike Oliver and Colin Barnes, from the USA such as Gerben DiJong, as well as other scientists. A significant contribution to refining the idea to include all disabled people in the new model, regardless of the type of their defects, was made by the Disabled Peoples International organization.

The social model was developed as an attempt to present a paradigm that would be an alternative to the dominant medical perception of disability. The semantic center of the new view was to consider the problem of disability as a result of society’s attitude to their special needs. According to the social model, disability is a social problem. At the same time, limited capabilities are not “part of a person”, not his fault. A person may try to reduce the consequences of his illness, but his feeling of limited opportunities is caused not by the illness itself, but by the presence of physical, legal, and relational barriers created by society. According to the social model, a person with a disability should be an equal subject of social relations, to whom society should provide equal rights, equal opportunities, equal responsibility and free choice, taking into account his special needs. At the same time, a person with a disability should have the opportunity to integrate into society on his own terms, and not be forced to adapt to the rules of the world of “healthy people”.

Attitudes towards people with disabilities have changed throughout history, determined as humanity socially and morally “matured”, public views and sentiments regarding who people with disabilities are, what place they should occupy in social life and how society can and should build your system of relationships with them.

The main reasons for this genesis of social thought and public sentiment are:

Increasing the level of social maturity of society and improving and developing its material, technical and economic capabilities;

Increasing intensity of development of human civilization and the use of human resources, which, in turn, leads to a sharp increase in the social “price” of many disorders in human life.

He has the opportunity to fully realize his spiritual and intellectual potential. Despite the current situation, social work with the elderly is being improved and this is greatly facilitated by professional training. 3.2 Algorithm of a social worker’s actions to solve communication problems in older people A social worker must be well versed in therapy methods...

And as it were, it is included in broader previous definitions. On the other hand, the “compensatory” understanding makes social policy and social work “marginal” sociological disciplines of populations, or “at-risk populations.” It remains unclear what science or theory is involved in the development of “normal” populations. In the spirit of a restorative-normalization approach, which is clearly...

Social support, but also as a benefit, life value, fulfillment of life. The task-oriented and crisis-oriented models of the theoretical substantiation of social work are very indicative in the plan under consideration. The two named and also quite close to each other models of substantiation of social work for the domestic tradition are quite new. By...

The purpose of using these techniques is to correct individual neurotic manifestations and prevent mental disorders. The proposed consulting methodology is suitable for practical use in the system of social work with the population. Thus, as a result of the work done, the organization and methodology of individual psychological counseling of clients has been substantiated...

A person with a disability has equal rights to participate in all aspects of society; equal rights must be ensured by a system of social services that equalize opportunities limited as a result of injury or illness. Disability is not a medical problem. Disability is a problem of unequal opportunities!

Disability is a limitation in capabilities caused by physical, psychological, sensory, cultural, legislative and other barriers that do not allow a person with a disability to be integrated into society on the same basis as other members of society. Society has a responsibility to adapt its standards to the special needs of people with disabilities so that they can live independent lives."

The concept of “independent living” in its conceptual meaning implies two interrelated points. In socio-political meaning, independent life is a person’s right to be an integral part of the life of society and to take an active part in social, political and economic processes, it is freedom of choice and freedom of access to residential and public buildings, transport, means of communication, insurance, labor and education . Independent living is the ability to determine and choose, make decisions and manage life situations yourself. in the socio-political sense, independent living does not depend on a person being forced to resort to outside help or aids necessary for his physical functioning.

In a philosophical understanding, independent living is a way of thinking, it is the psychological orientation of an individual, which depends on its relationships with other individuals, on physical capabilities, on the environment and the degree of development of support service systems. The philosophy of independent living orients a person with a disability to the fact that he sets himself the same goals as any other member of society.

We all depend on each other. We depend on the baker who bakes bread, on the shoemaker and the tailor, on the postman and the telephone operator. The shoemaker or postman depends on the doctor or teacher. However, this relationship does not deprive us of the right to choose.

If you don’t know how to sew, then you go to a store or atelier. If you don't have the time or desire to fix the iron, you go to a workshop. And again, your decision depends on your desires and circumstances.

From the point of view of the philosophy of independent living, disability is viewed from the perspective of a person's inability to walk, hear, see, speak or think in ordinary categories. Thus, a person with a disability falls into the same sphere of interconnected relations between members of society. In order for him to make decisions and determine his actions, social services are created, which, like a car repair shop or an atelier, compensate for his inability to do something.

Inclusion in the infrastructure of society of a system of social services to which a person with a disability could delegate his limited abilities would make him an equal member of society, independently making decisions and taking responsibility for his actions, benefiting the state. It is precisely such services that would free a person with a disability from degrading dependence on the environment, and would free up invaluable human resources (parents and relatives) for free labor for the benefit of society.

What is Independent Living?

Independent living means the right and opportunity to choose how to live. It means living like others, being able to decide for yourself what to do, who to meet and where to go, being limited only to the extent that other people without disabilities are limited. This means having the right to make mistakes just like any other person.

To become truly independent, people with disabilities must confront and overcome many obstacles. Such barriers can be obvious (physical environment, etc.), as well as hidden (attitudes of people). Overcoming these barriers can bring many benefits to yourself, and is the first step towards living a fulfilling life as employees, employers, spouses, parents, athletes, politicians and taxpayers, in other words, to the fullest. participate in the life of society and be an active member of it.

The philosophy of independent living, broadly defined, is a movement for the civil rights of millions of people with disabilities around the world. This is a wave of protest against segregation and discrimination against people with disabilities, as well as support for the rights of people with disabilities and their ability to fully share the responsibilities and joys of our society.

As a philosophy, Independent Living is globally defined as the ability to have complete control over one's life based on acceptable choices that minimize dependence on others to make decisions and carry out daily activities. This concept includes control over one's own affairs, participation in the daily life of society, fulfillment of a range of social roles and making decisions that lead to self-determination and a decrease in psychological or physical dependence on others. Independence is a relative concept, which each person defines differently.

The philosophy of independent living makes clear the difference between a meaningless life in isolation and fulfilling participation in society.

The myth of independence

Ask each participant to write down on a piece of paper everything they did during the first half of the day after they woke up. Then ask them to list the people without whose work none of this would be possible.

Ask participants to make a list of aids and devices they use, for example:

I wake up in bed. The alarm clock wakes me up. How many people are involved in preparing the material, design, production, sales and delivery of the alarm clock? Beds? Lingerie? At home? Pajamas? I'm going to the toilet (Where does the water come from? Where does it go then? Toilet paper, etc.) Breakfast items, etc. Does anyone make breakfast for you? Or do you cook for someone else?

I use a toothbrush, a towel, a comb, I put on my glasses, turn on the stove, kettle, take a bottle opener, phone, start the car, etc., etc.

Each person in his independent life is in fact completely dependent on others. People with disabilities may (or may not) need help from others to do things to a greater extent than other people. This is quite consistent with the norms of human behavior. Interdependence is a reality for everyone. Moreover, there are people who also depend on disabled people.

All people always use aids and devices. For disabled people, in addition to the hundreds of such aids that we use every day, we need several others, without which it is impossible for them to carry out their activities.

Then what is the difference between us? Disability factor?

Availability, price, choice and control. These questions arise before us when we talk about independent living.

Healthy people do not need to have their toothbrush or comb needs assessed by an expert. You don't have to apply to enter your own home and wait on the porch for two years. You don't need to have a doctor's degree to buy a bike. You don't have to pay your partner to make you tea.

People have organized society in such a way that all these devices and services are available and free for almost all of us, and we can choose. We call this normal.
We want our specific devices to be added to this set, which would be as accessible to us as a toothbrush. Moreover, it is important that all this is within our financial capabilities. A regular disability pension provides only a subsistence minimum.

Declaration of Independence of a Disabled Person

(brief abstracts)

Don't see my disability as a problem.

Don't support me, I'm not as weak as I think.

Do not treat me as a patient, as I am simply your fellow countryman.

Don't try to change me. You don't have the right to do this.

Don't try to lead me. I have the right to my own life, like any person.

Don't teach me to be submissive, humble and polite. Don't do me a favor.

Recognize that the real problem that people with disabilities face is their social devaluation and oppression, and prejudice against them.

Please support me so that I can contribute to society to the best of my ability.

Help me know what I want.

Be someone who cares, takes the time, and who doesn't fight to do better.

Be with me even when we fight each other.

Don't help me when I don't need it, even if it gives you pleasure.

Don't admire me. The desire to live a fulfilling life is not admirable.

Get to know me better. We can become friends.

Be allies in the fight against those who use me for their own gratification.

Let's respect each other. After all, respect presupposes equality. Listen, support and act.

Norman Kunk,
American disability rights lawyer.

To become truly independent, people with disabilities must confront and overcome many obstacles. Such barriers can be obvious (physical environment, etc.), as well as hidden (attitudes of people). Overcoming these barriers can lead to many benefits for yourself, and is the first step towards living a fulfilling life as employees, employers, spouses, parents, athletes, politicians and taxpayers, in other words, to the fullest. participate in the life of society and be an active member of it.

The philosophy of independent living makes clear the difference between a meaningless life in isolation and fulfilling participation in society.

Basic concepts of independent living for people with disabilities

· Don't see my disability as a problem.

· Don't support me, I'm not as weak as I think.

· Do not treat me as a patient, as I am simply your fellow countryman.

· Don't try to change me. You don't have the right to do this.

· Don't try to control me. I have the right to my own life, like any person.

· Don’t teach me to be submissive, humble and polite. Don't do me a favor.

· Recognize that the real problem that people with disabilities face is their social devaluation and oppression, and prejudice against them.

· Support me so that I can contribute to society to the best of my ability.

· Help me know what I want.

· Be someone who cares, takes the time, and who doesn't fight to do better.

· Be with me even when we fight each other.

· Don't help me when I don't need it, even if it gives you pleasure.

· Don't admire me. The desire to live a fulfilling life is not admirable.

· Get to know me better. We can become friends.

· Be allies in the fight against those who use me for their own gratification.

· Let's respect each other. After all, respect presupposes equality. Listen, support and act.

Model Regulations on the Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Disabled People

OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTER
- Detailing and specification of individual rehabilitation programs for disabled people developed by institutions of the State Service for Medical and Social Expertise;
- Development (based on a detailed and specific individual rehabilitation program) of plans and programs for the rehabilitation of disabled people in the Center;
- Carrying out medical rehabilitation;
- Organization and implementation of measures for prosthetics and cutting of disabled people;
- Implementation of professional rehabilitation of disabled people;
- Carrying out social rehabilitation of disabled people;
- Conducting comprehensive psychological rehabilitation;
- Dynamic control over the process of rehabilitation of disabled people;
- Participation in the organization of training and retraining of personnel for departments and offices of multidisciplinary comprehensive rehabilitation of disabled people;
- Providing organizational and methodological assistance to independent departments and offices of multidisciplinary comprehensive rehabilitation of disabled people;
- Providing advisory and methodological assistance on issues of rehabilitation of disabled people to public, state and other organizations, as well as individual citizens.

3. MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTER
In accordance with the listed tasks, the Center performs the following functions:
- clarification of rehabilitation potential;
- carrying out rehabilitation therapy;
- performing reconstructive surgery;
- restoration, improvement or compensation of lost functions;
- speech therapy training;
- organization of physical therapy;
- organization and implementation of measures related to prosthetics for disabled people, training them in the skills of using prostheses;
- implementation of a comprehensive system of measures for the professional rehabilitation of disabled people to return them to active work;
- identification and selection of appropriate types of profession for disabled people that fully correspond to their health status;
- organization of vocational guidance and selection
disabled people;
- organization of vocational training and retraining of disabled people;
- organization of professional and industrial adaptation of disabled people;
- training disabled people in the basics of entrepreneurship and active behavior skills in the labor market;
- organization of social and everyday adaptation of disabled people;
- implementation of measures for social and environmental orientation of disabled people;
- implementation of measures to adapt families to the problems of people with disabilities;
- informing disabled people about rehabilitation services that are provided to them free of charge or for a fee;
- training disabled people in the use of special products and technical means that make their work and life easier;
- involving disabled people in amateur or professional sports;
- conducting psychotherapeutic and psychological activities;
- scientific support and analysis of experience in organizing the work of bodies and institutions of medical and social examination, rehabilitation and prosthetics for people with disabilities and the development of recommendations for its improvement;
- organization of information and advisory assistance on legal, medical and other issues related to the rehabilitation of disabled people.

Society's attitude towards people with disabilities has varied at different times. Since ancient times, people have sought to protect their society from people with health problems. The Spartans got rid of deformed and sick babies by throwing them from a high cliff into the sea. The killing of children with developmental defects in Ancient Rome and Greece was considered necessary for the common good. In Japan, for a long time, elderly parents were taken high into the mountains in the fall and left there without food or warm clothing, where they died from hunger and cold.

In the Middle Ages, people with health problems were avoided and feared, they were regarded as “sick” and isolated from society.

The Christian faith brought sensitivity and compassion into society. In the 12th century The first secular shelters designed for the blind appear in Europe. This can be seen as evidence of changing attitudes towards people with disabilities.

It was only in the twentieth century that the idea that people with disabilities had equal rights to participate in society along with others began to spread. The awareness that there is no democracy if there is social exclusion of people with disabilities has been promoted by social movements, speeches by scientists and activists from among disabled people.

In the late 1960s - early 1970s. In the USA, Sweden and other developed countries, a policy of “deinstitutionalization” began to be pursued. It was to ensure that people who were previously kept in closed institutions (institutions) could live, receive treatment, and undergo rehabilitation, correctional and educational programs in milder conditions. It also affirmed the principles of client rights and human dignity that people should live and receive necessary services in the least restrictive environment possible.

Modern ideas about disability can be divided into two models - medical and social.

The medical model views disability as a disruption in the functioning of the human body, a disease, and the person himself as passive, completely dependent on medical professionals. The medical approach separates people with disabilities from other groups, supports public stereotypes about the impossibility of independent existence of this group of people without the support of professionals and voluntary assistants, and influences legislation and social services. The social model is becoming increasingly popular in developed countries, and is also gradually gaining ground in Russia. The regional public organization of disabled people “Perspective” has become an active promoter of this model in Russia. The social model considers a disabled person as a full member of society and focuses attention not on the individual problems of a person with a disability, but on the social causes of their occurrence. A disabled person can actively participate in the economic, political, and cultural life of society. A disabled person is a human resource capable of influencing the socio-economic development of the country; it is necessary to create conditions for the integration of disabled people. In order for a disabled person to adapt to the environment, it is necessary to make his living environment as accessible as possible for him, i.e. adapt the environment to the capabilities of a disabled person, so that he feels equal to healthy people at work, at home, and in public places.

Currently, a disabled person is characterized as a person who has a health disorder with a persistent disorder of body functions, caused by diseases, consequences of injuries or defects, leading to limitation of life activities and necessitating his social protection.

Disability is one of the most important indicators of social ill-being of the population, reflects social maturity, economic viability, moral integrity of society and characterizes a violation of the relationship between a disabled person and society. Considering the fact that the problems of disabled people affect not only their personal interests, but also to a certain extent affect their families, depend on the standard of living of the population and other social factors, it can be stated that their solution lies on a national, and not a narrow departmental plane, and in many respects determines the face of the state's social policy.

The concept of independent living in a conceptual sense implies two interrelated aspects. In socio-political terms, it is a person’s right to be an integral part of the life of society and to take an active part in social, political and economic processes; this is freedom of choice and access to residential and public buildings, transport, communications, insurance, labor and education. Independent life is the ability to determine and choose, make decisions and manage life situations. In a philosophical understanding, independent living is a way of thinking, a psychological orientation of an individual, which depends on its relationships with other individuals, on physical capabilities, on the environment and the degree of development of support service systems. The philosophy of independent living encourages a person with a disability to set himself the same goals as any other member of society. According to the independent living philosophy, disability is viewed in terms of a person's inability to walk, hear, see, speak, or think in normal terms.

Independent living involves being in control of one's own affairs, participating in the daily life of the community, performing a range of social roles, and making decisions that lead to self-determination and less psychological or physical dependence on others. Independence is a relative concept, which each person defines in his own way. Independent life - involves the removal of dependence on the manifestations of the disease, the weakening of the restrictions generated by it, the formation and development of the child’s independence, the formation of the skills necessary in everyday life, which should enable integration, and then active participation in social practice, full-fledged life activities in society.

Independent living means the right and opportunity to choose how to live. This means living like others, being able to decide for yourself what to do, who to meet and where to go, being limited only to the extent that other people without disabilities are limited. This includes the right to make mistakes just like any other person. To become truly independent, people with disabilities must confront and overcome many obstacles. If you overcome them, you can achieve many benefits for yourself. This is the first step towards living a fulfilling life as employees, employers, spouses, parents, athletes, politicians and taxpayers - in other words, to fully participate and be active members of society. The following declaration of independence was created by a disabled person and expresses the position of an active person, a subject of his own life and social change.

Declaration of Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities:

- Don't see my disability as a problem.
- Don't feel sorry for me, I'm not as weak as I think.
- Do not consider me as a patient, since I am just your compatriot.
- Don't try to change me. You don't have the right to do this.
- Don't try to control me. I have the right to my own life, like any person.
- Don’t teach me to be submissive, humble and polite. Don't do me a favor.
- Recognize that the real problem that people with disabilities face is their social devaluation and oppression, and prejudiced attitudes towards them.
- Support me so that I can contribute to society to the best of my ability.
- Help me know what I want.
- Be someone who cares, takes the time, and who doesn't fight to do better.
- Be with me, even when we fight each other.
- Don’t help me when I don’t need it, even if it gives you pleasure.
- Get to know me better. We can become friends.

Independent Living Movement determined as a social movement that preaches the philosophy of self-organization, self-help, advocates for civil rights and improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.

The concept of independent living considers the problems of a person with disabilities in the light of his civil rights and focuses on eliminating social, economic, psychological and other barriers. According to the ideology of independent living, people with disabilities are part of society and should live in the same places as healthy people. They should have the right to their own home, to grow up and live in their own family together with their healthy

members, receive education taking into account the specifics of disability in a general school with healthy children, take an active part in the life of society, have a paid job; Material support for people with disabilities should be such that they feel independent and are provided with everything that society can offer them.

Independent living is the ability to independently determine your life style, make decisions and manage life situations. Disabled people have the right to respect, to equal social acceptability, to independent choice of employer, the right to free movement (to ride in public transport, fly by plane, overcome architectural barriers), travel and types of recreation, and the right to participate in the social and political life of society.

In the socio-political sense, independent life implies the ability to self-determinate, to do without outside help or to reduce it to a minimum in the implementation of life activities, a number of social roles and active participation in the life of society.

People with disabilities have the potential to make significant economic, political, social and cultural contributions. They are excellent experts on disability issues and can demonstrate an amazing ability to personally lead and effectively organize the services and supports needed to be productive members of society.

Predisposing factors The emergence of the Independent Living Movement was prompted by the processes of deinstitutionalization, the development of social work in the community, and the formation of a new social direction for the rehabilitation of disabled people.

Providing disabled people with pensions and benefits, various services (home help), technical means of rehabilitation, etc. contributed to ensuring that disabled people could leave boarding schools and hospitals and live with their families.

Another important prerequisite for the development of the Independent Living Movement was the creation of public organizations of disabled people. At first, these organizations financed sporting events for disabled people or clubs where they could meet and socialize. In 1948, during the Olympic Games, the first competitions for disabled war athletes were held. In 1960, the first official Paralympic Games took place, where disabled people from different countries of the world met. Communicating thanks to the created system of public organizations, people with disabilities began to interact. A sense of community and understanding of the problems they faced in their quest to become full members of society were formed. Public organizations of certain 214

categories of disabled people (blind, deaf, “support people”), support groups and “self-help”. The first self-help group was Alcoholics Anonymous (1970). These organizations, as well as charitable societies (which existed before), provided social support to people with disabilities, helped them find employment, provided housing in which people with disabilities could live in small groups on their own, with minimal assistance from social workers, and share personal experience in overcoming crisis situations.

If earlier individuals spoke out against discrimination against people with disabilities, now people with disabilities together began to fight for their civil rights.

The philosophy of independent living, broadly defined, is a movement for the civil rights of millions of people with disabilities around the world. The independent living movement influences public policy, advocates at the national and regional levels, and serves as an advocate and spokesperson for the interests of people with disabilities. At the grassroots level, the Independent Living Movement provides a personalized, consumer-oriented approach so that people with disabilities can expand their ability to exercise civil rights and live with dignity.

Public organizations of people with disabilities that preach the philosophy of independent living are called Centers for Independent Living (ILC).

The official date of birth of the first public organization of independent living is considered to be 1962, when the Group for the Integration of Disabled People was created in France. It included students who wanted to speak up on their own behalf and create services that they themselves felt needed. In the USA, a similar organization was created in 1972 - this is now the most famous Center for Independent Living in Berkeley - an organization that includes people with various forms of disabilities. Then similar organizations were created in other cities in the United States and Latin America. The development of centers and rehabilitation in the community was facilitated by the 1978 US law on the protection of persons with disabilities and the provision of financial support to INC from the government. In the 1980s independent living centers began to appear in Canada, Great Britain, and Germany in the early 1990s. - in other Western European countries. National organizations have been created in Africa and Southeast Asia to take disability issues to a new level. With significant support from the UN, the International Organization of Disabled Persons was created, which became a key organization for uniting disabled people from different countries and promoting the Independent Living Movement.

International exchange of experience in the human rights Independent Living Movement expands the boundaries of understanding of this process and terminology. For example, people with disabilities from developing countries have criticized the term “independence” as artificial and prefer to use the concepts of “self-determination” and “self-help”.

Center for Independent Living is a comprehensive innovative model of a system of social services that direct their activities towards creating a regime of equal opportunities for people with disabilities. In essence, these are public organizations for people with disabilities that do not have medical personnel or social workers.

The creation of the IJC was largely due to the fact that the programs offered by professionals did not meet the needs of people with disabilities. With the development of professional rehabilitation services, consumers were faced with the fact that their needs were not always adequately identified and met, there was strict control on the part of professionals and the desire to manage their lives in everything. People with disabilities and social workers viewed the same situations differently. Thus, while consumers saw their financial problems in poor housing and unemployment, social workers viewed the problems of their clients as personal or emotional difficulties, although they recognized them as not having sufficient financial security. At the same time, social workers were mainly involved in counseling rather than employment and housing improvement.

INCs do not focus on a few or specific forms of disability, but rather address problems common to different categories of disabled people. The choice of direction and development of programs of different centers depend on national characteristics, existing problems, resources and funding opportunities, but there are common characteristics for all.

IJCs implement four main types of programs.

1. Informing and providing reference information
tions about available social services and community resources. Not
by turning to state institutions, a disabled person receives additional
stupid to information resources (database based). This
program is based on the belief that access to information
broadens one's horizons and increases a person's ability to manage
your life situation. A person makes a choice based
on knowledge of the problem.

2. Development and provision of individual and group support
holding equals." The work is organized on a voluntary basis
mutual support of IJC members. Consulting and transfer
independent living experiences are carried out by disabled people themselves.

They conduct seminars, support groups, and individual lessons on developing independent living and socialization skills, using technology, and stress management. An experienced counselor acts as a positive role model for a person with a disability who has overcome barriers and fulfilled needs. Self-support groups help reduce feelings of isolation, teach independent problem solving, and promote personal growth.

3. Individual consultations on the protection of rights and interests
disabled people. The program is based on the belief that man himself
knows better what services he needs. INC work with people
individually to help them find the most optimal
decision in each specific case, develop a strategy for
achieving personal goals. Consulting is provided on
financial issues, housing legislation, existing
benefits. The coordinator teaches the person to speak on his own behalf,
speak up in your own defense, independently defend your rights.
Trainings are conducted to develop independent living skills
training, to increase self-confidence, management among peers
nykh (leadership schools). As a result, opportunities expand
to participate in society.

4. Development of programs and new models for the provision of services
CNJ. Scientific research is being carried out, new mouths are being tested
roys, new approaches and methods are being developed and planned
dy support. Control and analysis are carried out
services (household help and personal assistant services,
transport services, assistance to disabled people during vacation
carers, loans to purchase
accessories), demonstration programs
we use a network of contacts with government and benefit
creative organizations. As a result, easier
promoting independent living in the community and improving life
new situation.

The center complements other alternative programs and services provided by government agencies to people with disabilities. To implement their programs, IJCs involve the community through public education or the support of various committees or special groups.

The centers provide assistance in finding employment for people with disabilities, provide consultations and training on acquiring skills in job search, readiness for an interview, writing a resume, provide translation services for the deaf, provide technical equipment, and help with home modifications.

Unlike medical and social rehabilitation, in which the main role is given to professionals, in the independent living model, citizens with disabilities

People take responsibility for the development and management of their lives, personal and social resources. The main goal of the ILC is to move from a rehabilitation model to a new paradigm of independent living.

Canadian disability researcher Henry Enns gives the following differences between the paradigms of rehabilitation and independent living (Table 3).

Independent Living Centers best serve the needs of their communities and have achieved the following goals:

Ensured employment and opportunity for disabled people to participate in the
creative activities that develop skills and confidence
in their abilities, necessary for integration into social and environmental
nomic flows;

They focused on models in which everyone had the same
roles and which encouraged risk-taking and determination;

Organized work in communities, which can serve
source of support and pride for the local community of people
with physical impairments, as well as a symbol of realized
opportunities and confidence in their abilities to benefit
society as a whole.

In 1992, in Moscow, on the basis of the “Contacts-1” club for disabled people, the country’s first Center for Independent Living for children with disabilities was organized. The main task of the center is

Table 3 Differences between rehabilitation and independent living paradigms