Beyond Needs – Judith Snow
This insightful document explores how society perceives and interacts with individuals labeled as disabled, particularly their ability to express desires like having a home of their own. It highlights the discrimination and misunderstanding faced by these individuals, who are often excluded from typical social roles and commercial relationships. The author, Judith Snow, emphasizes the importance of shifting perspectives to recognize disabled individuals as full citizens with unique contributions to society.
The text introduces “person-centered planning,” a transformative approach that listens deeply to individuals, uncovering their interests, abilities, and aspirations. This method fosters inclusion by breaking down barriers—architectural, attitudinal, and environmental—that limit participation in ordinary community life. Snow argues that planning should focus on empowering individuals rather than centering on caregivers or service providers, encouraging communities to embrace diversity and creativity.
The document also cautions against disempowering efforts to “help” people, advocating instead for disciplined collaboration that respects the pace and capacity of communities. By piercing the “mask of disability,” society can discover the gifts and potential of every individual, enabling them to thrive in ordinary social and commercial settings.
Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by disabled individuals and the innovative strategies that can foster their inclusion. This is a call to action for communities to embrace diversity, rethink societal norms, and create pathways for everyone to participate fully as citizens.