Betsy & Jim on the need to create community support for people with disabilities.
There are some widespread misperceptions about services for people with developmental disabilities.
1. People think “the kids are all right,” that young adults automatically get “placed” somewhere. Truth is, once kids with disabilities hit 21 and age out of the school system, there’s a cliff – on services, direction, support. There’s a saying that kids who finish high school go on to college or work . . . and kids with disabilities go home to their bedrooms. Families are on their own. For many – here in Northfield – one parent quits work to take care of their adult child.
2. People think the solution is “employment.” It’s not. It’s engagement: Meaningful activity and connection to people. In our culture, we think that jobs are the only path to that. Families often get backed into a kind of forced entrepreneurism – setting a young adult up with their own lawn care service, delivery service, a farm, an egg business. Good things can come from that – like ArtMakers – but it relies on the parents to run it – and then what happens when the parents are no longer here?
3. It’s not about “launching” someone to independence. It’s about a lifetime of support. Our culture assumes that the basic goal for each of us is independence. It’s just not true. Each of us depends on others. We assume that we raise kids and “launch” them to take care of themselves. And people who can’t take care of themselves just need to be propped up a little until they can stand on their own. No; they need a lifetime of care.
A number of factors make it hard to improve or expand disability services: low wages, too few workers, not a priority for leaders and the public. There are systemic challenges that can’t be fixed overnight.
But our community can – and should – create support for people with disabilities – just as HCI does for children and youth, and Age-Friendly Northfield is doing for seniors, and local leaders are doing for immigrants.
What can people and the community do?
1. Reframe the conversation. People with disabilities want engagement, enrichment, connection, validation – just as all of us do. It’s not just about jobs and housing.
2. Vote and advocate for the safety net. State leaders have a huge impact on resources and funding for disability services.
3. Let’s create a council of guardians. A community commitment – and hub – to care for this population. Like HCI: Bring resources together, find the need, and match people up. Reach in, rather than waiting for families to reach out.
1. People think “the kids are all right,” that young adults automatically get “placed” somewhere. Truth is, once kids with disabilities hit 21 and age out of the school system, there’s a cliff – on services, direction, support. There’s a saying that kids who finish high school go on to college or work . . . and kids with disabilities go home to their bedrooms. Families are on their own. For many – here in Northfield – one parent quits work to take care of their adult child.
2. People think the solution is “employment.” It’s not. It’s engagement: Meaningful activity and connection to people. In our culture, we think that jobs are the only path to that. Families often get backed into a kind of forced entrepreneurism – setting a young adult up with their own lawn care service, delivery service, a farm, an egg business. Good things can come from that – like ArtMakers – but it relies on the parents to run it – and then what happens when the parents are no longer here?
3. It’s not about “launching” someone to independence. It’s about a lifetime of support. Our culture assumes that the basic goal for each of us is independence. It’s just not true. Each of us depends on others. We assume that we raise kids and “launch” them to take care of themselves. And people who can’t take care of themselves just need to be propped up a little until they can stand on their own. No; they need a lifetime of care.
A number of factors make it hard to improve or expand disability services: low wages, too few workers, not a priority for leaders and the public. There are systemic challenges that can’t be fixed overnight.
But our community can – and should – create support for people with disabilities – just as HCI does for children and youth, and Age-Friendly Northfield is doing for seniors, and local leaders are doing for immigrants.
What can people and the community do?
1. Reframe the conversation. People with disabilities want engagement, enrichment, connection, validation – just as all of us do. It’s not just about jobs and housing.
2. Vote and advocate for the safety net. State leaders have a huge impact on resources and funding for disability services.
3. Let’s create a council of guardians. A community commitment – and hub – to care for this population. Like HCI: Bring resources together, find the need, and match people up. Reach in, rather than waiting for families to reach out.