Hi
There has certainly been some research done in Ireland on these and
related institutions. I think Patricia Noonan-Walsh would be a good
person to contact there.
http://www.ucd.ie/psydept/walsh.html
Most of it is under the heading of 'village communities' in the
literature. Not my area, but try these for starters...
Eric Emerson et al. (1999) A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF QUALITY AND COSTS
IN VILLAGE COMMUNITIES, RESIDENTIAL CAMPUSES AND DISPERSED HOUSING
SCHEMES, The London School of Economics and Political Science, The
University of Manchester and University College Dublin.
Emerson, E. et al Quality and Costs of Community-Based Residential
Supports, Village Communities, and Residential Campuses in the United
Kingdom, American Journal on Mental Retardation: Vol. 105, No. 2, pp.
81-102.
Jackson, R. (1999). The case for village communities for adults with
learning disabilities: an exploration of the concept. Journal of
Learning Disabilities for Nursing, Health and Social Care, 3(2),
110-117.
Patricia Noonan Walsh et al. Family Views of the Quality of Residential
Supports, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities,
Volume 14 Issue 3 Page 292 - August 2001
Cox, C and Pearson, M., Made to care: the case for residential and
village communities for people with a mental handicap. London: The
Rannock Trust, 1995
Emerson, E., et al (2001). Quality and Costs of Supported Living
Residences and Group Homes in the United Kingdom. American Journal on
Mental Retardation 106, 401-415.
Robertson, J et al (2001). Environmental opportunities and supports for
exercising self-determination in community-based residential settings.
Research in Developmental Disabilities 22, 487-502.
Best wishes
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: The Disability-Research Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mitzi Waltz
Sent: 26 August 2004 10:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Camphill Communities- Request for Sources and Information
Mike asked:
>>
Hello all-
I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of
research or information about Camphill Communities?
My brother is "working" at one in Ireland and I went
and visted earlier this summer, and as far as I could
tell it was a combination of a sheltered workshop and
community living situation.
Any guidance on this would be of benefit.
Thanks
Mike
>>
That's not a bad description, although they don't resemble other
sheltered workshop situations in that there isn't (theoretically) the
overseer/employee hierarchy or profit motive seen in enterprises
like, say, Remploy. The goal is that the people without disabilities
who live in Camphill Communities act to facilitate the choices of
and to assist those living there who do have disabilities.
A close friend's son lives in a Camphill Community in Ireland (he is
an adult with autism and learning difficulties) and finds it to be a
much more congenial situation than what "care in the community"
permitted him in the UK (i.e., bedsit-based poverty with a
revolving cast of paid caregivers.) He gets very agitated when
dealing with noise, unexpected situations, and strangers, and gets
bored having nothing to do all day but watch TV. In his rural
community in Ireland, he works with the animals (which he
definitely enjoys!), helps with all the stuff you have to do to keep
the house running, and has formed friendships. It's not the right
life for everyone--my autistic son would find it "dead boring," he
likes city life and meeting people, and will probably be able to work
a regular job and manage his own finances--but it's an option that
some people well like.
My friend speaks enthusiastically about the non-disabled people
working there as well--said they do a great job of trying to live out
the Camphill philosophy, and seem to be having a good time living
that lifestyle themselves.
I know there are lots of people who hate the idea of anyone with a
disability living outside the "mainstream" community, but there are
plenty of non-disabled people who choose a rural, quieter lifestyle
as well, so I think that option should also be there for people with
disabilities. Certainly my friend's son was experiencing no benefit
(and much detriment, having been the victim of crime and
bullying) living on benefits in an urban bedsit. That lifestyle actually
offered him much less freedom and fewer choices than his
current one does. More importantly, he's happier--he's non-verbal
but very communicative physically so it's not hard to tell how he
feels about things!
Just my 2 cents... Mitzi Waltz
PS: If you want to do some research on Camphill, start with
Rudolf Steiner, whose "philosophy" it's based on. I happen to think
Steiner's a bit of a crank, but oh well... The L'Arche communities,
which are Catholic, have a similar ethos. Some L'Arche
communities are urban.
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