504 chapter 54
Too often disabled children are not given the opportunity to become helpful or
needed, or to learn the skills to contribute in an important way to the family or
community. The family and community need to look ahead to the disabled child’s
future. They need to find ways to build on whatever strengths she has, so that she can
have a full and meaningful role in the community.
A money-earning job is not the only meaningful role in society
In some cultures, especially in Europe and the United States, great importance is
placed on work to earn money. Often it seems that a person’s worth is measured by
how much money he or she makes. Where such a value system exists, a standard
goal of rehabilitation is to prepare disabled persons to work at some kind of money-
earning job.
But caution! This goal of a paid job may not be appropriate in some parts of the
world. Traditions and local values differ from place to place. Some societies are more
accepting of persons who do not earn or ‘produce’, as long as they contribute and
take part in other ways.
Also, we must remember that in poor countries the unemployment rate (people
without work) is often very high, even for the non-disabled. It may be very difficult
for a disabled person to get a job, even if well-trained.
There are many ways, other than by working for money, that disabled persons
can contribute to their family and community. They may be able to learn skills to
help with daily activities in the home. Or they may become leaders for community
action. As we discussed in Chapter 45, disabled villagers who are unable to do hard
physical farm work, often make outstanding health workers (paid or volunteer),
rehabilitation workers, popular organizers, or defenders of human rights.
It is important that rehabilitation programs have a broad view of how disabled
persons might work or fit into the community. Too often ‘skills training’ prepares
a physically disabled person to do jobs that able-bodied persons could do just
as well. The challenge, whenever possible, should be to build on the unique
strengths, experience, and qualities of the disabled person: help her to find a
role in society that she can do better than most non-disabled persons. Disability
does make a person different in certain ways, for better and for worse. Rather than
pretending that the difference does not exist, it is wiser to accept the differences
and look for ways that being disabled
helps to deepen or strengthen the person.
Help the person to have not just an
ordinary role in society, but one that is
in some ways outstanding. Persons like
Helen Keller (a blind and deaf woman
who became a social leader and agent for
change) can be our role models.
Rehabilitation programs and families
should avoid planning a child’s (or adult’s)
life work, or role in the community, for him.
Rather, we should help make available as
wide a range of opportunities as possible.
Our goal should always be to open doors
for the child, not to close them.
Disabled village Children