Supporting people with DiS abilitieS
a fresh way of t hinking and Doing at a sha k iran
Working alongside people with disabilities is important and meaningful. This work opens up the world to people who have often experienced very profound rejection from society. As allies to people with disabilities, we know that better is possible. At Asha Kiran, we want the people who live here to have opportunities to grow and thrive through the work that each of us do, even under challenging circumstances. We also want each person at Asha Kiran to enjoy their equal human rights. We know that people with disabilities, including significant developmental or intellectual disabilities, can experience acceptance and belonging and can grow and develop in astonishing ways. We have the honor of supporting and serving people, helping them restore a sense of worth, build their skills for a promising future, and enable them to live with dignity. The world needs their contributions. We will increasingly all be asked to grow and develop ourselves as staff and will be offering opportunities for each of you to consider new approaches to the care you provide.
We each should consider the following essential ideas as values and practices we want to encourage at Asha Kiran:
1. DiSabilit Y iS natural
a. It’s a part of the human condition, we all may experience disability at some point in our lifetime.
2. all people have equal anD unconDitional value anD right S
a. Everyone has worth, they matter, and their lives matter.
b. We can help others see the worth of the people we work with through the way we treat the people.
c. Under the law, every person has equal rights, including to education, health care and an adequate standard of living.
3. all people, incluDing people with DiSabilitieS, have great potential to grow, learn, anD thrive
a. People with disabilities have unlimited potential to grow, to learn skills, to contribute through work, through participation and through their presence in everyday life.
b. They are complete human beings: not broken, not sick, not defective.
c. High expectations and lots of chances to try new things encourages growth.
4. Supporting people with DiSabilitieS iS a DignifieD profeSSion to be prouD of
a. Walking alongside people with disabilities to support, care for them, care about them, know them, help them look their best, relate to them and encourage them is a deeply needed and dignified profession to be proud of.
5. afforDing people with DiSabilitieS to have “voice anD choice” aS citizenS iS a part of all our work
a. Helping people make choices and have control over even the small aspects of their lives builds them up, increases their competencies, and shows people that they are and should be respected.
6. You matter, anD the people You Support matter
a. Your work is deeply needed by the people you support.
b. You have great power to shape people’s lives through your positive mindset, your respectful care, and your deep knowledge of the people you serve.