Disability Supports

A key definition of disability supports, developed by the Roeher Institute in their major research study on this topic, defines Disability Supports as:

Any good, service or environmental adaptation that assists persons with disabilities to overcome limitations to carrying out activities of daily living and in participating in the social, economic and cultural life of the community.

The products, services and adaptations are often provided to individuals and their families through government-funded programs or delivered to people with disabilities as a group through broader community measures. The types of supports provided can range from any number of human supports (for things like attendants, counseling, interpreters, and tutors), technological supports (accessibility modifications, screen-readers, modified keyboards, and accessible vehicle modifications), environmental supports (architecture and public transportation), and pharmological supports (for pain management and management of mood and effect).

Problems arise from government policy concerning the provision of these types of supports when the system becomes too complex to effectively identify and assess the needs of people with disabilities. When this happens, the planning and coordination of the needed supports suffers, often resulting in gaps in service and resource provision. Eligibility for programs and services can be too restrictive and inflexible. If proper government funding and coordination is not in place, access to needed supports in the home, community, school or employment setting can become restricted. The policy issues and concerns unique to each of these settings are discussed in the documents found in this section of the website.

• Supports Documents