An Empowerment Philosophy for Rehabilitation in the 20th Century

Abstract

The field of rehabilitation, its systems, agencies, facilities, companies, and especially its rehabilitation professionals, individually and collectively share major responsibilities in responding needs of estimated 34 million individuals with disabilities in United States. For purposes of addressing primary phenomena of this paper, rehabilitation is defined as process of helping handicapped individuals move from positions of dependency in their community toward positions of independency in a community of their choice (Emener, Patrick & Hollingsworth, 1984, p.6). Furthermore, following considerations of presume some of rehabilitation's basic, a priori, philosophical assumptions such as those articulated by Dowd and Emener (1978): First, profession has consistently held belief that each individual is of great worth and dignity. Second, rehabilitation professionals have maintained that every person should have equal opportunity maximize his or her potential and is deserving of societal help in attempting do so. Third, rehabilitation profession assumes that people by and large strive grow and change in positive directions, reflecting both traditional American optimism and belief in human perfectability characteristic of Age of Enlightenment. Fourth, rehabilitation profession assumes that individuals should be free make their own decisions about management of their lives (p. 35). Thus, pertinent empowerment issues such as locus of (Lefcourt, 1976), especially in terms of roles and functions of rehabilitation professionals (Emener & Cottone, 1989), are critically contingent upon rehabilitation's a priori philosophical tenets. For example, Condeluci (1989) poignantly offered that the concept of community integration and empowerment model have their roots in social vaporization, right choose and risk, individualization and consumer control (p. 16). There are, however, other critical aspects of rehabilitation theory and philosophy which also are germane considerations of empowerment. There are numerous divergent positions regarding interface between what people versus what people For example, author of this paper frequently has felt that what some people need is learn that they cannot always have what they want. What does mean for an individual with a severe disability--especially if considerations are given vicissitudes of economic independence, functional independence, social independence and psychological independence. Similar considerations also are pertinent concept of Perhaps independence is sine qua non freedom. Nonetheless, if rehabilitation professionals are dedicated issues of individual independence and freedom on behalf of individuals with disabilities, then it indeed would appear fitting assure that is a critical construct and guiding operational value within rehabilitation's systems, agencies, facilities, companies and professional service delivery personnel. Empowerment The process of empowering an individual or a system, means to give power or authority to; authorize; as, president is empowered veto legislation (Webster, 1978, p. 595). Thus, rehabilitation professional committed an empowerment approach rehabilitation service delivery, should facilitate and maximize opportunities for individuals with disabilities have and authority over their own lives. This approach involves modifications and controls both internal and external individual. For example, as an individual with a severe disability it is important for me be internally empowered--I should be helped empower myself so that I see myself as being powerful, and in a position of authority, over my own life. To a great extent, empowerment is a mind-set. Likewise, from an external point of view, laws, rules and regulations governing aspects of my life also should be designed accommodate my self-empowerment (Hahn, 1982, 1985). …

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