Enabling Home Environment

Introduction

The home environment comprises of various physical features that non-disabled people may take for granted, yet these features present various problems for the disabled – particularly because those features were not designed to fit the needs of the disabled (Kemper et al, 2010, p. 24). Consequently, scholars and advocates alike have developed a growing interest on strategies of creating an enabling home environment for the disabled. First, Imrie (2004, p.750) defines an enabling home environment as one that enhances a disabled’s personal participation or inclusion into the day to day activities of their lives. Nonetheless, the fundamental principles of creating an enabling home environment for the disabled can be located within the social model of disability. According to Gleeson (1999, n.p), the model posits that disability emanates from the interaction between the impaired individuals and an environment characterised by communication, physical and attitudinal barriers. Hence, from a social model perspective, the disabled environment must be tuned or modified to address the communication, physical and attitudinal challenges characterising these environments. This essay will, therefore, identify the various ways of creating an enabling home environment by modifying these domains.

Importance of Creating Enabling Home Environment

The social model of disability acknowledges the fact that the disabled may be permanently impaired, a phenomenon that has a lasting impact on the individual. Hence, according to Dear et al (1987, n.p), the model posits that the communication, social, physical and attitudinal environments must be modified to accommodate such impairments so as to give the disabled an equal chance of societal participation. In fact, it is this quest for equal societal participation that triggered the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to recognize the social model of disability as a way of dealing with or addressing the challenges faced by the disabled (UNCRPD, 2006, n.p). Therefore, creating an enabling home environment for the disabled emerges as an important aspect of health and social care because societal inclusion and participation of the disabled are now considered as one of the fundamental human rights.

Strategies for Making the Home an Enabling Environment for the Disabled

Several scholars have assessed the necessary conditions of home environments that create an enabling environment for the disabled, with most scholars (i.e. Jacobson 2009 and Jacobson 2007) viewing these conditions from the perspective of social dignity as a guiding principle. Particularly, existing literature reveals that such conditions are beyond just the basic needs of personal care and shelter, but rather conditions that enable a ‘dignified’ home environment. They include security and safety, flexibility and control, self-expression, meaningful relationship, leisure, work, and civic life.

Enabling Meaningful Relationships

In regards to meaningful relationships, Moss (1997, p. 22) asserts that the home environment for the disabled should be one that enables the disabled to develop a meaningful relationship with their friends and families and the ability to receive and give care. Besides, Miles (1994, n.p) points out that such environment should enable the disabled to not only live within close proximity to their family members but also to maintain participation in their social roles of spouses, parents, and siblings. This corroborates with the literature by The Open University (2014 p.24) suggest that people with multiple sclerosis should live an home environment where there is enough space to accommodate visiting members of the family , as well as enough space to sit in the garden and have time with their families.

Accessibility to Social Amenities

According to Imrie (2004, p. 777), the disabled should have homes where they have access to necessary neighbohood socio-cultural and physical features to help them easily engage socially with society. This includes availing access to social amenities such as coffee shops, restaurants, groceries, parks, banks and other amenities that may enhance their living experiences and gives them a sense of belonging (Kemper et al, 2010). The Open University (2014, p. 9) also gives an example of Veronica, a disabled lady who used an automatic wheelchair to visit the shops. If her new apartment wasn’t next to shops, she wouldn’t have been able to use her wheelchair to the shop because some of the wheelchairs may not endure long distances.

Enabling Housing

The disabled should live in a home environment where they have reasonable control over their day-to-day activities as well as the ability to be flexible and spontaneous. In this regard, Jacobson (2009) acknowledge that the disabled sometimes live a restricted life due to their disabilities. For example, in the case of Veronica illustrated in Open University (2014, p. 10), she could find it difficult to engage in various activities such as washing, taking shower and visiting the shops because of mobility challenges caused by multiple sclerosis. Consequently, Gleeson (1999) suggest that the home environment should have a supportive housing that allows the disabled to engage in various daily activities without any barriers. For example, when Veronica moved to a new apartment adopted for assistive technology, she was able to take control of her life and conduct activities such as dish washing, showering and even visiting the shop without human assistance (The Open University, 2014, p. 10). She gained control of her life by being able to do things by herself.

In conclusion, this study has established that an enabling home environment for the disabled is one enhances a disabled’s personal participation or inclusion into the day to day activities of their lives. Particularly, the social model of disability is the fundamental underpinning upon which such home enabling environments are created. The model holds that the disabled should have equal societal participation by modifying communication, social, physical and attitudinal environments to suit their impairments. Strategies for making such modifications include security and safety, flexibility and control, meaningful relationship, leisure, work, and civic life. These strategies are highly recommended for consideration by families and attendants of the disabled.

References

• Dear MJ, Wolch JR. Landscapes Of Despair: From Deinstitutionalization To Homelessness. Princeton: Princeton University Press; 1987.
• Gleeson B. Geographies Of Disability. London: Routledge; 1999.
• Imrie R. Disability, Embodiment And The Meaning Of Home. Housing Studies. 2004;19(5):745-763.
• Jacobson N. Dignity And Health: A Review. Social Science & Medicine. 2007:292-302.
• Jacobson N. A Taxonomy Of Dignity: A Grounded Theory Study. BMC International Health And Human Rights. 2009;9(3):1-33.
• Kemper A, Stolarick K, Milway J, Treviranus J. Releasing Constraints: Projecting The Economic Impact Of Increased Accessibility In Ontario. Toronto, Canada: Martin Prosperity Institute; 2010.
• Moss P. Negotiating Spaces In Home Environments: Older Women Living With Arthritis. Social Science And Medicine. 1997;45(1):22-33.
• Miles MB, Huberman AB. Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. Vol 2nd. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications; 1994.
• The Open University (2014) ‘introduction to Block 3’ Learning Guide 9 places for care: home as a place of care, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
• United Nations. Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities (UNCRPD) New York: United Nations; Resolution A/61/106 Of 6 December 6 2006.

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