Ideology and Definitions

by Vic Finkelstein

 På svenska

av Vic Finkelstein

 In English

Persons with extensive disabilities need assistance by other people in their everyday lives with such activities as getting bathed and dressed or going to the toilet; with shopping, preparing meals, cleaning or doing the laundry; with such responsibilities within the family as doing the practical tasks involved in raising small children or assisting one' s aging parents. Assistants help the user at work, about town and on travel. They assist in communicating or in structuring the day, as the case might be. In brief, assistants help with those activities which the user would have done by himself or herself, had it not been for a physical, sensory, mental or intellectual disability.

Bamboo, symbol of
strength through resilience.

Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.

Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation.

Bamboo, symbol of
strength through resilience.

Independent Living är en filosofi och en internationell rörelse av människor med funktionshinder som arbetar för självbestämmande, lika villkor och självrespekt.

Independent Living betyder inte att vi vill göra allt själv, att vi inte behöver andra människor eller att vi vill leva isolerat.