Comparing the origins and ideologies of the independent living movement and community based rehabilitation.
Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and independent living (IL) differentiate their orientations from traditional rehabilitation models and both place significant emphasis on consumer and community participation. Although the formative structural forces and historical roots of the two rehabilitation approaches are very different, comparison of them is necessary for the following reasons. First, the disabled consumers movement is increasingly involved in international work and has fostered the development of organizations in Southern countries which apply an independent living and consumer-based perspective. It is therefore useful to develop a clear understanding of the cultural and historical background of this movement and its rootedness in the North American experience. Secondly, there has been some discussion of introducing the CBR model into North America. While an attractive concept, it is critical to understand that CBR was developed for a very different context. Most importantly, it grew up in the absence of a fully articulated consumer movement or a fully professionalized and elaborated system of rehabilitation. Expansion of both CBR and IL reflects the emerging dialogue and exchange which is transforming both movements.
Lysack
C
C
Department of Community Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada.
Kaufert
J
J
D003153:Community Health Services; D003256:Community Participation; D003255:Consumer Organizations; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America; D011050:Policy Making; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D012648:Self Care