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As Seen by the System verses the Community
In a social service system
people are known by what's wrong: by their condition or
label
In community
people are known as individuals.
In a system
people are incomplete and need to be changed or "fixed"
In community
people are as they are, with opportunities to follow their
own dreams.
In a system
relationships are unequal; service workers do things "for'
clients and don't look for any contribution in return
In community
relationships are reciprocal, give and take; and the diverse
gifts of many people are recognized.
In a system
people are broken into parts and separated into groups
In community
people have the chance to be accepted as whole persons, and
viewed as part of the whole society.
In a system
problems are solved by consulting authorities, policies ,
procedures
In community
people seek answers from their own experience and the wisdom
of others.
In a system
there is no room to acknowledge mistakes and uncertainty ;
information is communicated in professional jargon that
distances individuals from their actions
In community
people can make honest efforts and acknowledge honest
mistakes and fears.
In a system
all problems have a rational solution
In community
there is room for confusion, and mystery, and recognition
that some things are beyond human control.
from:
The Gift of Hospitality: opening the Doors of Community to People with
Disabilities.
Written By: Mary O'Connell, produced By: The Community Life Project,
Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research, Northwestern University
Evanston, IL.
From the newsletter 'Sharing of the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
in Phoenix, AZ,
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