The social model of disability is still relatively unknown and only implemented in very few places. For those reasons Independent Living Keighley (ILK) is still an exiting and lively project, although it was set up over two decades ago in the early eighties.
ILK attracts people who question and criticise the traditional and institutionalised ways in which disabled people are seen and treated. Therefore those involved with ILK face a lot of challenges.
However, the young disabled people living at "32" the core project of ILK, find it worthwhile facing up to those challenges, because they achieve self-determination, choice and control over their lives.
The "32" service is an ordinary house in an ordinary street, where young disabled people and volunteers live together within the social model of disability. While the medical model of disability defines impairment as a problem located in the individual, the social model regards disability as the result of an inaccessible physical environment, discriminatory attitudes and internalisation of the medical model by disabled people.
At "32", service users can learn how to manage personal assistance, which is provided by volunteers. Both service users and volunteers have the opportunity to learn about responsibilities, relationships and how to manage differences. They also experience that communal living can enrich and empower them in their daily lives.
ILK also manages a training flat and somw permanent move-on accommodation, because the "32" service is only regarded as a temporary option. Furthermore, ILK offers the Direct Payments Support Service for the Bradford area. "Rights not charity" is an essential principle for ILK. Therefore ILK is not a charity, but a not-for-profit company working within the voluntary sector.
Get in touch:
Independent Living (Keighley) Ltd.
210 Oakworth Rd
Keighley BD21 1QX
phone 01535-690993
textphone 01535-611423
fax 01535-611446
e-mail ILKeighley@cs.com
visit our new website: www.ilk.org.uk
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