Independent living and community care: a disempowering framework

Abstract

The British disability movement has had significant achievements in its struggle for independent living. However, the current community care framework contains many barriers to independent living. This article sets out a conceptual framework for an understanding of independent living and provides an analysis of the barriers posed by the social care system. These range from financial incentives for placing disabled people in residential care, to a failure to address needs relating to employment, parenting and leisure. Disabling attitudes held by social services professionals about ‘risk’ and ‘capacity’ are also major barriers. It is clear that, unless the legislative framework is amended to include an entitlement to independent living, disabled people will continue to be denied their full human and civil rights.

Notes

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The article is based on analysis, carried out for the Disability Rights Commission, of the barriers to independent living. The report used published research and official data to carry out a critical analysis of the implementation of community care policies in Britain.