SOCIO - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
Sociovocational rehabilitation follows,or sometimes is delivered simultaneously
along with Medical rehabilitation.
Sociovocational rehabilitation is a team effort which aims at providing the disabled a vocation. It must not be misunderstood as just another employment agency. At the heart of vocational rehabilitation, is the concept of the 'right to work'; that is to treat work as much more than a means to money, but as a way of living and a mode of according dignity to the individual, an outlet for his aspirations, and as a prop adding to his self esteem as an independent contributor to society.
It empowers persons not just economically but in a more basic and meaningful sense. It does not bind him to a job, it sets him free. Obviously not every handicapped individual can stand on his own feet literally or otherwise. A more realistic and pragmatic approach is needed.
The social worker tries to provide emotional support to the patient as well as to his family members. He also creates an awareness among the community about disability and its limitation.
The Vocational Evaluator, finds out the skills that the patient still possesses,identifies areas of work for him and chalks out a training course in some specific skill. He is the one who enables the patient to go back to work.
Very often pre vocational skills like sorting, counting, number concepts are taught to the persons. Some specialized skills like painting, collage making,electronics, packing, marbling are also imparted. Sometimes mobility which can be the single most troublesome impediment will have to be overcome by giving locomotor aids and physiotherapy. Toileting and other sef help skills of daily living have to be trained. Decision making skills and functional literacy are also augmented. Thus the intervention has to be holistic.
Broadly, employment can be classified as -
1. Open employment
2. Home based employment
3. Co-operatives formed by the disabled
4. Sheltered workshops
5. Supported employment
Employers must be encouraged to use the services of the disabled with
incentives in the form of tax benefits awards and social distinctions.
Towards this end, legislation will have to be enacted to give the different
abled their rightful place in society. The passing of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1991, was a landmark in the life of the disabled in
the country.
Job placement is not the end; sustaining it is equally important. Modification of the environment to suit the individual is necessary. For e.g., ramps have
to be constructed to accommodate wheelchairs, toilets have to be modified
equipment of daily use have to be redesigned and manufactured.
The role of the community cannot be overemphasized. Awareness program
must be conducted, trust in the abilities must be generated.
Now the emphasis is on Community based Rehabilitation, where trained
personnel, preferably from within the community are made available to even remote areas, inked to the Primary Health care set up. Adults can be trained in a vocation suitable to the community and area. For example
grass cutter who has lost this right hand can be given a device with a sickle and trained to go back to his original job.
The catchword today is Empathy not Sympathy. In other words the message that the disabled are giving throughout the world is Please accept us as we are.
The handicapped person is considered an equal and effective partner in the modern social order and his contribution to the field of politics, administration, science and the arts is second to none.
One has only to recall the names of Stephen Hawkings the famous professor of physics who is a quadriplegic, Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, Milton who was blind, and Roosevelt who had polio to take pride in the contribution of the handicapped to the progress of humanity.
As we march into the 21st century, we look forward to a disability free population where each can fend for himself and lead a life of independence and dignity.