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Independent Living Philosophy
Independent Living is having control over one's life. This means being able to make the decisions and choose the direction of one's life to the fullest extent possible. Historically, people with disabilities have been denied the right and opportunity to make their own decisions. The term "Independent Living" also denotes a philosophy, which advocates for the availability of a wide range of services and options maximizing self-reliance and self-determination in all of life's activities.
People with disabilities should be able to live, work, shop and play where they choose within the community.
In order for people with disabilities to live in the community, instead of a hospital environment, the community has a responsibility to be accessible.
Expecting equal access to social, economic and political opportunities for people with disabilities can be compared to expecting equal access for ethnic minorities.
People with disabilities are not sick. A person with a disability may become ill, but disability is not always an illness.
People with disabilities should not be in a hospital environment, unless they are sick and in need of acute medical care.
People with disabilities have the same aspirations as people who do not have disabilities.
People with disabilities do not wish to be described as "very brave" when they are successful, nor do they seek pity in the manner of the "poster child" image.
People with disabilities know best what their barriers to independence are and what they need in order to live independently and should have a say in what happens in their community that affects them.
Therefore, people with disabilities are in the best position to guide, direct, and control programs for people with disabilities.
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