PHILOSOPHY,
POLICY & PROVISION OF SERVICES
THE PRINCIPLE OF NORMALISATION
Normalisation is not about trying to normalize the disabled person. It is keeping the society as normal as it should be, whereby the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the able and disabled can all live together in the same society without any prejudice and discrimination in an ordinary community.
HOW CAN THIS PRINCIPLE BE REALISED? |
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1. |
Acknowledge the needs of people with disabilities and their
families |
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2. |
Ensure a higher quality of life. (Quality of Life can be
rephrased as "How much do people with disabilities have
satisfaction or pleasure with their own life?") |
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3. |
Work towards a barrier free society
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Creating a caring society |
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Encouraging the efforts of people with disabilities
towards independent living |
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Financial support by government |
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POLICY AND PURPOSE OF ASIA COMMUNITY SERVICE
ACS' policy is based on the principle of normalisation. Our main purpose is to:
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support people with disabilities in leading an ordinary normal
life in the community. |
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support them in their strive to be independent |
We aim to do the above by providing them with many opportunities and choices. We also aim to ensure that the supports we provide are high quality so that they can become models.
WHAT IS "AN ORDINARY NORMAL LIFE"?
Living an ordinary life is to have :
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1. |
An income (money) |
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2. |
A place to live / home |
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3. |
A place for meaningful activity (education / training / work) |
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4. |
A hobby / cultural activity |
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5. |
A good relationship with others |
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6. |
A role in society |
WHAT IS "INDEPENDENCE"?
In one's individual life, it is to have opportunities to
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make choices |
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express one' opinions / needs / feelings |
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make decisions |
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be in self-controlled / self management |
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have hobbies / enjoy pleasure |
In one's social life, it is to have
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good relationships with other people |
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a role in the community |
The concept of independence is realised when they show motivation, desires, have choices, get excited, takes risks and enjoy adventure in their life.
WHAT CAN OBSTRUCT INDEPENDENCE?
If
they are controlled (over protection / over education / over
training) and ignored (apathy / abandoned), they will not have
opportunities to choose, express their feelings, communicate with
others, build relationships or have any role or responsibility in
the society.
This lack of opportunities will lead to more dependency on others or get themselves isolated from the community.
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