An exploratory study of the experiences of people with disabilities in a social development programme

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Social workers are increasingly being encouraged to include the economicdevelopment of their clients in the intervention strategies they apply. As a resultof this, social work programmes with income generating activities are becomingcommonplace within the social work arena. People with disabilities have beenidentified as a group that should be targeted for support in income generatingactivities and small business initiatives. An exploratory study of the effect of asocial work programme on the lives of people with disabilities was undertaken.A literature study was conducted on perspectives and intervention strategies thatare applied in social work intervention with people with disabilities. This includedthe ecological and strengths perspectives of social work as it applies to peoplewith disabilities. The empowerment approach was described as an interventionstrategy to be applied by social workers working with people with disabilities.Disability in South Africa was explored by focussing on the disability rightsmovement as well as the policies and institutions that affect the lives of peoplewith disabilities.Little research has been done to explore the effect of social work programmeswith income generating activities on the lives of the people involved in them.Exploratory research was done in the Western Cape using the interview survey fordata collection,. The experiences of people with disabilities, who are members of asocial work income-generating programme, were explored. Information obtainedduring the interviews is presented in four categories, namely: demographicinformation of the respondents, the nature of the respondents' disabilities,respondents' involvement in the programme and their awareness of their rights aspeople with disabilities.The study revealed that although, income generating activities were the focus ofthe programme, respondents did not identify economic rewards as the main reason for remaining in the programme. Respondents identified emotional andsocial rewards as being of most value to them in their membership of theprogramme. It is therefore concludedthat social work programmes should includeboth income-generating activities as well as activities that will enhance theemotional and social development of people with disabilities.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University