Description of the service

When was the service set up?

1999

Who uses the service?

The service is used by several kinds of clients.

How many people use the service?

70 people with a disability

Did your service users previously live in an institution or other large establishment?

Some of them did 

Description of the learning experience

Mrs. X is 33 years old and she has a learning disability. With 18 years she moved into a residential accomodation of the lebenshilfe vorarlberg. After 10 years Mrs. X wanted to live with her boyfriend in an apartment with less support from social workers.
Our organisation found an apartment for them. The mistake was, that we haven´t cleared the mental attitude of the neighbours.
Mrs. X and her friend haven´t lived one week in the new apartment when the problems began. One neighbour called them antisocial rabble and he said that he don´t want neighbours like them. He demanded a prompt move of the disabled neighbours. He watched every step of Mrs. X and her boy friend. His causeless aggressive accusations led also to aggressive accusations of Mrs. X and her friend. Our organisation had many conversations with the neighbours, but it was not possible to convince them. The neighbour has tried with all means he had to convince his neighbours about the inadequacy of the disabled neighbours.

Learning points

We have learned that it is very important to check the social environment. Tolerance of the neighbours is the most important factor for a successful placement.
Before we sign the hire contract we talk to neighbours and the concierge. Also the disabled person speaks to them.
We also look who lives in the house (old people, families).

When the disabled person moves into the apartment we invite the neighbours so that they get to know the person with a disability. We try to keep regular contact so that it is possible to avoid misunderstandings between the neighbours.

anonymous

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