2010

Community Psychology

…voices of persons with

disabilities

Community Rehabilitations

Submitted By: Muzamil Kousar

Submitted To: Miss Humaira Murtaza
5/31/2010
Content Table
Introduction
• Community
• Rehabilitation

Community Rehabilitation

Dimensions of Community
1. Technological,
2. Economic,
3. Political,
4. Institutional (social),
5. Aesthetic-value, and
6. Belief-conceptual.

Primary Objectives of Community Rehabilitation

• Physical Rehabilitation
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)
• Drug Rehabilitation
• Alcohol Rehabilitation
• Outpatient Rehabilitation
• Occupational Rehabilitation
• Land Rehabilitation

How to Improved quality of life for persons with disabilities in a

Community
References
Introduction
All Human achievements are first thoughts before they become things. So the creations of
communities such as cities, governments, armies, as well as communal achievements such as
conquests and discoveries everything that goes to make a community must spring from a
community's thoughts.

Community

A "community" in some senses may not even have a physical location, but be demarcated by
being a group of people with a common interest. In the training material here, however, the
"community" which is the object of a mobilizer's attention, is usually one with a physical
geographic location. Not only is the concept of a community a "construct" (model), it is a
"sociological construct." It is a set of interactions, human behaviors that have meaning and
expectations between its members. Not just action, but actions based on shared expectations,
values, beliefs and meanings between individuals.

Rehabilitation

The word comes from the Latin "rehabilitare" meaning to make fit again.

The process of restoration of skills by a person who has had an illness or injury so as to regain
maximum self-sufficiency and function in a normal or as near normal manner as possible. For
example, rehabilitation after a stroke may help the patient walk again and speak clearly again.

Rehabilitation is the process of assisting someone to improve and recover lost function after an
event, illness or injury that has caused functional limitations.

Community Rehabilitation
Community rehabilitation in mental health facilities helps patients with developmental
disabilities and behavioral problems integrate back into the general population. Patients may
receive individual counseling, medications to control their illnesses, and vocational training.
Mental health professionals, caseworkers, and psychologists facilitate interactions between
patients, their families, and members of their community. When patients show significant
progress and demonstrate the ability to care for themselves, rehabilitation centers often make
arrangements for them to move into halfway houses or independent living settings. (Jeffress,
(200).
There are some dimensions of community through which we can understand that how to
rehabilitate a community.

Dimensions of Community:
When we say a community is not the same thing as a human being, we say it does not have
emotions, a head, thoughts, legs, or a hobby. It does, however, have different parts to it that
apply to social organizations and culture rather than to individual human beings.

One important way to analyze a community, break it into different parts, is to use the six cultural
"dimensions." We use "dimension" because these are analytical categories, made by us human
beings, rather than being based upon observable parts (like parts of the body: head, arms, legs).

These dimensions of community include:

7. Technological,
8. Economic,
9. Political,
10. Institutional (social),
11. Aesthetic-value, and
12. Belief-conceptual.
 Community Change

Each of these dimensions of culture is transmitted by symbols (not genes) and consists of
systems of learned ideas and behavior. They are not "aspects" of culture; they are dimensions.
Cultural dimensions may vary in size but, by definition, permeate the whole.

The Technological Dimension of Community:

The technological dimension of community is its capital, its tools and skills, and ways of dealing
with the physical environment. It is the interface between humanity and nature.

In a community, communal technology includes its facilities such as public bathrooms and water
points, roads, markets, clinics, schools, road signs, parks, community centers, libraries, sports
fields. Privately owned community technology may include shops, factories, houses and
restaurants.

The Economic Dimension of Community:

The economic dimension of community is its various ways and means of production and
allocation of scarce and useful goods and services (wealth), whether that is through gift
giving, obligations, barter, market trade, or state allocations.

In any community, we will find various forms of wealth distribution. It is important for us to
learn what they are, and what things can be given, what exchanged and what bought and sold. In
many societies some kinds of wealth may not be allocated by purchase, such as sexual favors’,
spouses, hospitality, children, and entertainment. It varies. Learning how they are distributed and
under what conditions and between whom (because these differ) is part of the research we need
to do.

The Political Dimension of Community:

The political dimension of community is its various ways and means of allocating power,
influence and decision making. It is not the same as ideology, which belongs to the
values dimension. It includes, but is not limited to, types of governments and
management systems. It also includes how people in small bands or informal groups
make decisions when they do not have a recognized leader.

The Institutional Dimension of Community:

The social or institutional dimension of community is composed of the ways people act, interact
between each other, react, and expect each other to act and interact. It includes such
institutions as marriage or friendship, roles such as mother or police officer, status or
class, and other patterns of human behavior.

Every time a new role is created, with its duties, responsibilities, rights, and expected behavior
patterns, then the society becomes more complex. If we encourage the formation of a new
development committee, with its official positions and membership, then the community has
become that much more complex.

The Aesthetic-Values Dimension of Community:

The aesthetic-value dimension of community is the structure of ideas, sometimes paradoxical,

inconsistent, or contradictory, that people have about good and bad, about beautiful and
ugly, and about right and wrong, which are the justifications that people cite to explain
their actions.

The Beliefs-Conceptual Dimension of Community:

The belief-conceptual dimension of community is another structure of ideas, also sometimes

contradictory, that people have about the nature of the universe, the world around them,
their role in it, cause and effect, and the nature of time, matter, and behavior.

This dimension is sometimes thought to be the religion of the people. It is a wider category, and
also includes atheistic beliefs, for example, that man created God in his own image. It includes
shared beliefs in how this universe came to be, how it operates, and what is reality. It is religion
and more. When we drop a pencil onto the floor, we demonstrate our belief in gravity. When we
say the sun comes up in the morning (it does not; the earth turns) we express our world view.
Primary Objectives of Community Rehabilitation
The primary object is to promote services for people with disabilities through government and
non government organizations, so that they are encouraged to become functionally independent
and productive members of the nation through opportunities of education, vocational training,
medical rehabilitation, and socio-economic rehabilitation. Emphasis is also placed on
coordination of services particularly those related to health, nutrition, education, science and
technology, employment, sports, cultural, art and craft and welfare programs of various
government and non-government organizations. (Meena, R. (n.d). Rehabilitation is a huge field
within health, promoting recovery for people after events such as;

• Physical Rehabilitation

Physical rehabilitation is a common form of this restoring process. Often utilized after major
surgery, an accident, or any event that robs the individual of mobility or function, this form of
rehab pairs the patient with trained personnel who help him to recover as much of his former
physical prowess as possible. In some cases, the physical therapy used as part of the process is
aimed at rebuilding the strength of limbs that may have been damaged in an accident, but are
now healed and in need of physical exercise. At other times, the physical rehab may be focused
on helping people who have lost a limb learn how to function effectively by expanding their use
of the remaining limbs.

• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) is a medical program

that helps patients with various cardiac and pulmonary
conditions to achieve optimal physical function. Like other
branches of rehabilitation medicine, CR consists mainly of
exercise, but also provides comprehensive care. In addition to
physical exercise, a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program
may include evaluation of the patient, risk factor modification,
diet and medication, stress management, blood pressure
control, and diabetes management.

A cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program is led by a case

manager, who may be a physical therapist, a cardiac nurse, or
an exercise physiologist. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
usually begins after the patient has suffered a major
cardiopulmonary event, such as a heart attack, or has
undergone some sort of heart surgery, such as valve
replacement, a coronary bypass, or placement of a coronary
stent. However, CR may also be recommended for patients
with certain cardiopulmonary diseases, including angina or chest pain, asthma, chronic
bronchitis, or emphysema, even if there has been no major medical event. CR aims to improve
the patient's physical function after major injury or surgery, and to prevent future complications.
Like other forms of rehabilitation, CR helps the patient make life changes for better health, and,
hence, does not only consist of office visits. For example, the patient must also follow an
exercise and diet regimen outside of the physical therapist's office. Foster, N. (n.d).

• Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)

Rehabilitation of sensory and cognitive function typically involves methods for retraining neural
pathways or training new neural pathways to regain or improve neurocognitive functioning that
has been diminished by disease or traumatic injury. Three common neuropsychological problems
treatable with rehabilitation are attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), concussion, and
spinal cord injury. (as cited in Wikipedia, (2010).

• Drug Rehabilitation

Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment, for
dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street
drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. The general intent is to enable the patient to
cease substance abuse, in order to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical
consequences that can be caused, especially by extreme abuse. ( as cited in Wikipedia, (2010).

• Alcohol Rehabilitation

Alcohol rehabilitation is the treatment for the physical and psychological addiction to alcohol. It
begins with a physical detoxification to rid the body of alcohol, and then uses counseling
sessions to get to the root of behavioral or mental issues that contributed to alcohol dependency.
The final part of the rehabilitation process is aftercare to help individuals acclimate into society
without falling back into their addiction.

Treatment can take place on an outpatient or residential basis. An outpatient alcohol

rehabilitation treatment is conducted during the day at a treatment center, then patients return
home in the evening. It is usually for people with an alcohol problem that has not become life-
threatening. Those with a severe, life threatening alcohol addiction may require residential
rehabilitation. They live at the treatment center in order to receive constant care.

The first thing to expect when you check into an alcohol rehabilitation center is the immediate
detoxification process. You won’t be allowed any alcohol, in order to give your body the
opportunity to remove all the toxins from the excessive amounts of alcohol. Since your system is
used to having alcohol, you will most likely experience physical withdrawal symptoms during
the first three days, such as sweating, chills, depression, mood swings, or even blackouts.
Depending on the extent of your alcohol addiction, it may take from one to two weeks to
completely cleanse your system. Boelcke, (n.d).

• Outpatient Rehabilitation

Outpatient rehabilitation or outpatient rehab is a form of rehabilitation therapy in which patients

travel to a clinic, hospital, or other facility specifically to attend sessions and then leave, rather
than remaining hospitalized for the duration of their therapy, as is the case with inpatient rehab.
There are a number of different types of outpatient rehab, along with a wide variety of
approaches to the rehabilitation process. This type of rehabilitation tends to be less expensive
than inpatient rehab, because there are no costs for hospitalization and associated expenses.
(Smith, (n.d)).

• Occupational Rehabilitation

Occupational rehabilitation helps people who have been

injured or have suffered an illness to get back, both physically
and mentally, in working shape. There are many rehabilitation
clinics that address different needs, but all are designed to
increase the patient’s maximum independent functions. Many
employers pay for their employees to use these programs in
order to maintain performance, as well as keep up with safety
standards.

An occupational rehabilitation therapist develops a plan of

action for the injured worker by assessing his or her needs,
and evaluating what the areas in which he or she requires
help. Other specialists can also be enlisted to aid in such a
program, including nutritionists, physiotherapists, and psychologists. Sometimes a rehabilitation
team must consider whether the worker will return to his or her job or, if that is not a possibility,
the team may help a patient regain function in order to seek a new job. ( Zaimov (n.d)).

• Land Rehabilitation

Land rehabilitation is the process of returning the land in a

given area to some degree of its former state, after some
process (industry, natural disasters etc.) has resulted in its
damage. Many projects and developments will result in the
land becoming degraded, for example mining, farming and
forestry.

While it is rarely possible to restore the land to its original condition, the rehabilitation process
usually attempts to bring some degree of restoration. Modern methods have in many cases not
only restored degraded land but actually improved it, depending on what criteria are used to
measure 'improvement'. (as cited in Wikipedia, (2009).
How to Improved quality of life for persons with disabilities in a
Community:

In order to claim their rights persons
with disabilities and their families
must
1. Be empowered and know their
rights
2. Have opportunities and tools to
express their claims
3. Be able to take action against
violations and to make
complaints to a mandated body
In order to fulfill their obligations duty
bearers such as government officials and
professionals must
1. Understand and accept their
responsibility towards persons with
disabilities
2. Be afforded the authority to carry
out their obligations
3. Have the capacity, e.g., access and
control over financial, human and
institutional resources required, to
carry out their obligations

Improved quality of life for

persons with disabilities

Civil society organizations fighting for the rights of persons

with disabilities must

1. Have the financial and managerial capacity to sustain

and develop their operations
2. Have a clear vision about their role, their objectives and
their strategies to achieve these objectives
3. Have the communication skills to advocate and
influence duty bearers
References

Bartle, P. (2009). WHAT IS COMMUNITY? Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From

http://www.scn.org/cmp/whatcom.htm

Boelcke, A. (n.d). What Should I Expect from Alcohol Rehabilitation? Retrieved on 24 May,
2010. From http://www.wisegeek.com/what-should-i-expect-from-alcohol-rehabilitation.htm

Foster, N. (n.d). What is Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation?. Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cardiopulmonary-rehabilitation.htm

Jeffress, D. (2003). What Is Community Rehabilitation? Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-community-rehabilitation.htm

Smith, S. E. (n.d). What is Outpatient Rehab? Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-outpatient-rehab.htm

Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia, (2009). Land Rehabilitation. Retrieved on 24 May, 2010.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_rehabilitation

Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia, (2010). Rehabilitation (neuropsychology). Retrieved on 24

May, 2010. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation_(neuropsychology)

Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia, (2010). Drug Rehabilitation. Retrieved on 24 May, 2010.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_rehabilitation

Jeffress, D. (2003). What Is Community Rehabilitation? Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-community-rehabilitation.htm

Wikipedia The free Encyclopedia, (2010). Rehabilitation. Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehabilitation

Zaimov, S. (n.d). What Is Occupational Rehabilitation? Retrieved on 24 May, 2010. From

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-occupational-rehabilitation.htm
Civil society organizations fighting for the rights of persons
with disabilities must

4. Have the financial and managerial capacity to sustain

and develop their operations
5. Have a clear vision about their role, their objectives and
their strategies to achieve these objectives
6. Have the communication skills to advocate and
influence duty bearers