I've been following this discussion partly because I am a friend of
Daniel's, who asked the original question, and partly because I have had
interactions with the World Bank and their efforts to make things better
for disabled populations in developing countries. Maybe many of you do
not know that Judy Heumann, a leading disability advocate in the U.S,
and the world is heading up those activities.
I am astounded at how many of the readers retreat into rhetoric and
ideology when asked a very practical question. Yes we are all human and
yes we should all be valued, etc. etc. But how do we do that - not by
talking. Daniel asked a very practical question. If resources were
unlimited then perhaps these problems would go away on their own. But
they are not unlimited - every one of us makes decsions how to use our
resources and choices we make are often based on cost. The kind of gift
I give my nephew depends on what I can afford and his needs. If I know
that something that will make his life much easier is within my
allocated resources, why wouldn't I do that for him. IF I DON'T KNOW
WHAT HIS NEED COSTS, I am likely to get him something that is currently
"in" thinking what is good for all the other kids his age must be good
for him. If I know the cost of something that will make his life
easier, but it is beyond my resources, I may go to another relative and
suggest we go in together. I am trying to recognize his value and
provide for his need, why is knowing what it costs or having additional
specific information available so terrible (such as the fact that the
item is available at Target for 20% less than in the specialty store).
Maybe there are several varieties of the item he needs - but one won't
work in his area of the country. Does knowing that make choices easier,
more efficient and more economical? What is wrong with that?
We need examples of how things work to counter the examples of
atrocities that are always pulled from our memories to rationalize
change. We are in an ongoing transition phase relative to disability.
In my lifetime, I have seen huge changes and my son has benefited
immensely, but he lives in an affluent, developed country and I had the
information and resources to facilitate his well-being. It is time to
add "practical" to our vocabulary around disability. If we don't, it is
possible that the institutions will just be reinvented.
Barbara Altman
-----Original Message-----
From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of max neill
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 9:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Cost of Inclusion
The message from the World Bank asking for information about the cost of
the inclusion of people with disabilities reminds me of a certain exam
question:
"To keep a mentally ill person costs approximately 4 marks a day. There
are 300,000 mentally ill people in care. How much do these people cost
to keep in total? How many marriage loans of 1000 marks could be granted
with this money?"
This question was part of the curriculum that the National Socialists
used to 'educate' children in pre-war Germany, and preceded the murder
of those 300,000 people as the first (now almost forgotten) part of the
holocaust. As a student nurse, it horrifies me that Doctors and Nurses
were participants in this slaughter.
History shows us that humanity has to come before the balance sheet,
people before profit and that human rights are not just laudable
sentiments, but essential for our existence.
Noone should have to justify the 'cost' of their inclusion in everyday
life, rather it is those that continue to exclude that need to justify
themselves.
"We speak and the word goes beyond us to consequences and ends which we
had not conceived of" Gadamer
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