This week we will focus on four concepts, independent living and self-care as well as service animals and assistive technology, which are subsets, or methods of self-care. While the area of assistive technology is quite broad, we will look at various aspects of this technology. You have already been introduced to aspects of it in the prior weeks.
As we look at this weeks' topic, you will see various resources and pages that explain aspects of independent living. When you read through them, you will find out a bit about the philosophy of these resources as well as some of the tangible needs identified.
Let's get started!
This UK-based site shows the Seven Needs of Independent Living. These needs were identified by the disability community and continue to exist in some form, with the prioritization differing depending on the group. The Seven Needs of Independent Living
A great resource, one to bookmark (no assigned readings in this) is an international site, The Independent Living Institute (ILI) .On their site, they note that they are "a policy development center specializing in consumer-driven policies for disabled peoples' freedom of choice, self-determination, self-respect and dignity. Our ultimate goal is to promote disabled people’s personal and political power. Towards this end we provide information, training materials and develop solutions for services for persons with extensive disabilities in Sweden and internationally. We are experts in designing and implementing direct payment schemes for personal assistance, mainstream taxi and assistive technology." You might need to use a translation service for some of the links in the site.
Below you will see some agencies that focus on independent living support here in the US. Feel free to browse through these and to bookmark those that will be of help to you in your work or other aspects of life. The local resources are full of useful info for you.
Centers for Independent Living - Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Two identified ways of providing self-care are through the use of service animals and through assistive technology. Below you will see an explanation as to what constitutes a service animal as well as some explanation and examples of assistive technologies, particularly around self-care.
Many types of support animals exist. We will look at the difference between "emotional support" "therapy" and "service" and other designations for animals. Each animal type has a different function as well as different rights surround each animal.
This FAQ sheet is very informative as to many of the different types and also identifies what rights are permitted for service animals. Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA | ADA.gov
HUD (Housing and Urban Development) which provides certain types of housing has a slightly broader definition of animals who can be within this federal housing unit. Sometimes we will work with clients who are in HUD housing and this information can be of use. Assistance Animals | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
It is easy to get a certification from a bogus online site, but this is not an acceptable means of certifying a service dog and is not honored by places such as hospitals, transportation entities or other places where verification is needed.
Therapy, emotional support and comfort animals are not considered service animals and are not afforded the same protections as service animals. Just FYI, therapy dogs do have a training regimen, which can be accessed here: AKC Therapy Dog Program – American Kennel Club Therapy dogs are not service dogs. They accompany people to visits to hospitals, assisted living facilities and other places to provide support to people.
There are so many ways for us to look at assistive technology. We could review these technologies in terms of the particular impairment, for example, hearing aids for hearing loss and glasses for vision, but it would be a very long module for us. In terms of the CDC definitions, though, these assistive technologies focus only on the areas of bathing (this includes toileting) and dressing.
Self - care needs, according to the CDC, focus on bathing and dressing. This article will help to explain how some of these needs can be addressed: Exploring the use of assistive products to promote functional independence in self-care activities in the bathroom - PMC (nih.gov). Please read this article.
For now, please review the following site. While it is focused on older adults, it does provide a good overview of the types of technology that provides for a range if disabilities. Please go into each of the types of adaptations to get a brief overview of how accommodations can be made. We will not be covering all of them this week, but you can begin to see some of the many areas where devices can be of help.
Assistive Technologies in the Functional Rehabilitation of the Elderly Person with Disabilities
This video provides a brief overview of the history of Seven Needs of Independent Living, The list was developed by people who had experience living in institutions.
Now take about 6 minutes to watch this video that explains a little bit about the changes living situations.
This short video provides an overview of the work of a Center for Independent Living
Self-Care (Please watch at least one video in each of the following topic areas)
Service Animals
While there is technically not a "Psychiatric Service Dog" category, there are service dogs who work with people with mental health challenges. This video is a great example of a service dog who provides such support.