Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Medicine and Health Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Rehabilitation and Therapy

Western Michigan University

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Journal

1991

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Self-Empowerment Among Adults With Severe Physical Disability: A Case Study, Nancy A. Brooks Mar 1991

Self-Empowerment Among Adults With Severe Physical Disability: A Case Study, Nancy A. Brooks

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

An independent living residential setting for severely physically disabled adults was studied through overt observation methods for twenty-two months. The purpose was observation of residents' council actions and expressions of group interests. The council displayed several phases of political structure and behavior. These phases were related to staff and administrative considerations as well as the residents emerging demonstrations of self-empowerment at the group level. The capacity for selfadvocacy emerges as a dynamic enterprise which is clearly related to the structure and interests of the service agency.