Product Description:
Project abstract as follows:
As of 2001, 18% of adults with developmental disabilities receiving day or employment supports in the United States participated in community-based non-work, defined as day activities that do not involve paid employment but do take place in the community rather than in a facility such as a day habilitation site.
This study was conducted to learn more about community-based non-work (CBNW): how it is defined and delivered by state agencies and local service providers; how it is experienced by individuals with disabilities; and how it is (or is not) advancing disability policy goals such as individualization, choice, integration, and independence. Qualitative case study research was conducted at six provider sites in two states, to gain a detailed picture of community-based non-work within its state and local context. Data collection methods included interviews with state agency and local provider staff, individuals with disabilities, and family members, as well as observations of individuals? CBNW activities and supports.
State-level context was very important: One state had a highly individualized approach to supports, and the other state utilized more group supports. These state philosophies pervaded both state and provider approaches to CBNW. In the individualized state, CBNW was more individualized and most of individuals? time in day supports was in the community; however, individuals received a smaller number of day supports hours. In the group-based state, CBNW always took place in groups and in 2 out of 3 sites was primarily a supplement to site-based activities, but individuals did receive 30+ hours a week of day supports.
Not surprisingly, individualization was much more common in the individualized-supports state than in the group-based state. Integration was accomplished on a physical level in both states but social integration was more limited. Despite a strong philosophical commitment to choice, in practice there were several barriers that limited choices. CBNW supports did not seem to encourage independence as a long-term goal even though it frequently involved working on independent living skills.
