ERIC Number: ED330137
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Dec
Pages: 248
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Life Patterns: A Report on Life and Service Satisfaction of Virginians with Developmental Disabilities: Appendix B to the 1990 Report.
Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Richmond. Dept. of Rehabilitation Counseling.
This document reports on a survey of 309 Virginians with disabilities, of all ages, concerning first, the satisfaction with and need for services, and second, the current status of efforts to increase independence, community integration, and productivity among Virginians with developmental disabilities. Individual chapters address: the survey methodology, life roles, life supports and services, independence, community living and integration, and productivity. Services and supports related to financial welfare dominate perceptions of satisfaction and need. While satisfaction with direct services is generally high, satisfaction with supports is much lower, and Virginia's service system often fails to target its resources with appropriate differentiation across disability groups. Findings concerned with improving the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities include the following: the unavailability of work is a major barrier to increasing productivity and quality of life for these people; the social support networks of most consumers are extremely limited; the commitment of caregivers and services to increased personal independence is limited by their vested interests; and many consumers remain isolated and limited in their "real world" involvement. The survey is appended. (DB)
Descriptors: Adults, Attitudes, Children, Community Services, Developmental Disabilities, Disabilities, Elementary Secondary Education, Employment Opportunities, Financial Needs, Individual Needs, Needs Assessment, Normalization (Handicapped), Personal Autonomy, Productivity, Quality of Life, Social Integration, State Programs, State Surveys
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: Virginia State Dept. of Mental Health, Richmond. Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.; Virginia State Board for Rights of Virginians with Disabilities, Richmond.
Authoring Institution: Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Richmond. Dept. of Rehabilitation Counseling.
Identifiers - Location: Virginia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A