How disability support services can assist those in need

Living with a disability is something that is indescribable. It differs from person to person, varying based on the nature of the disability and the personality of the individual. Those who suffer from a disability or a handicap often require some assistance to help build their sense of autonomy and independence.

For those who work in the field, like social workers, it can be an incredibly rewarding field. At the same time, it can be frustrating and draining; it is a profession that requires patience, compassion and understanding. The team at Civic have a lot of experience and compassion when helping those who are unable to feed, cook or clean themselves. Disability support services and the people involved can help change the lives of so many people in need. Here are several ways that disability support services benefit those who are disabled.

Improved social skills

A lot of people with physical and intellectual disabilities struggle to interact socially. They struggle to make friends, let alone maintain friendships. However, social workers can offer disability support and help such individuals to build strong, meaningful friendships. It is not widely known within the public sphere that many disabled people suffer from other mental conditions, like anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, a lot of this stems from the fact that they don’t have a compassionate support network or group of friends to help them out. Support services can help minimise the level of anxiety and improve social confidence.

More autonomy

Many people with disabilities hate being pandered to or made to feel less about themselves. This is why disability support schemes are so important. Disability support services don’t focus on pandering to the person’s needs or wants; they focus on giving the person the support they need to develop their own independence and autonomy. This is achieved through a variety of activities:

Cooking lessons

If someone is afflicted with a severe physical disability, being able to cook for themselves can be a struggle. Social workers can help create menu and diet plans, consisting of easy meals that can be prepared relatively quickly and with little stress to the individual. These plans will focus on enhancing the person’s safety when dealing with kitchen equipment, while improving nutritional value.

Weekly schedules

Disability support workers can also help provide individuals with weekly schedules and plans. This helps the person get into the rhythm of a routine, while learning how to be organised when plans sometime change.

Improved safety

Home modifications can also be installed into the individual’s accommodation or shared living arrangement to help improve physical safety around the home. Such modifications could be anything from guardrails preventing access to rooms or support ramps to help people up slopes or inclines. Guardrails or barriers are very helpful for young children who are disabled, who may accidentally enter a room that has dangerous items or appliances (e.g. the garage).

Christian Woods
Christian Woods
Christian is a morning reporter and technology columnist for Best in Australia. Christian has worked in the media since 2000, in a range of locations. He joined Best in Australia in 2018, and began working in Melbourne in 2019.
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