Our Philosophy
The Independent Living Model sees the problem differently and understands disability as a specific form of social oppression. A distinction is made between “impairment” – the condition of body or mind, and “disability” – the social restrictions experienced. In this Model, the problem lies in the environment, not the individual. Though many people have physical, intellectual, or mental attributes that deviate from the ‘norm,’ disability is manifested in society through purposefully created and maintained physical, environmental, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers.
In understanding the Independent Living philosophy, we recognise that disability must be tackled holistically. All aspects of exclusion must be addressed. Using the Independent Living Model, the following basic needs are identified:
Information – to know what one’s options are
Peer Support – encouragement and guidance from other disabled people
Personal Assistance – human help with everyday tasks
Equipment – technical aids to reduce unnecessary dependence on others
Housing – a suitable place to live
Transport – to get where one needs to be
Access to the Environment – to go where everyone else does
Advocacy – to get public support for or recommendation of their cause
Awareness – to change the perspective on disability and people with disability
The Independent Living approach does not suggest that a person needs rehabilitation in order to exist in an inaccessible world. It says that the world needs adapting in order to accommodate the disabled people. By this approach, with “problems” of disability and the needs identified, it is important for us to play the supportive role in assisting the disabled people to live independently by solving the “problems” and providing for the appropriate basic needs.
