Share the Care

Abstract

A person with a physical disability often has no choice but to rely on their families. Between the physically disabled and the family caregiver, there is a co-dependence which affects both sides and how they live their individual daily lives. It is reported that this co-dependence creates feelings of burden and stress, social isolation and emotional loneliness for both the people with disabilities and their family caregivers.

There has been a good number of policies issued in the Netherlands with the aim of allowing as many people as possible to participate fully in society. The main aim is to help people with disabilities to live as they wish through changes in the social domain that will lead to noticeably fewer barriers. However, when it comes to participation and “barriers”, the first thing that comes to mind is the physical barriers that make access challenging. But accessibility and participation are also about the experiences people have once they access a particular environment. In other words, accessible and inclusive spaces are spaces that not only people can get into, but that they also feel welcome to be into. In the end, when we talk about an accessible society, we are talking about more than just the physical or practical barriers - the social barriers that are part of the social structure and the way the society and living environments are organized.

In this research, the question "What kind of architectural and urban living environments can be integrated in the daily lives of the physically disabled adults (PDA) and their family caregivers (FC) to reduce their social isolation?" is explored through interviews, observations and literature study. The findings are then organized into a set of design guidelines and design applications in an effort to create an inclusive living environment.

The main design concept as a result of the research suggests the design of an “Incluive Living Environment“ which offers public functions, social amenities and housing which are all available for everyone - regardless of their age, ability or family configuration - where a healthy environment of interaction and understanding can be created. A living environment where a strong community and social network can be formed where disabilities and care is not a burden or something to be ashamed of, but it is accepted, understood, and shared. A living environment where the care is shared by forming healthy communities where social bonds are formed between individuals that live in proximity to one another, light care can easily become a “shared value“. This helps to release the pressure, burden and shame that is primarily experienced by physically disabled adults and their families, and reduce their social isolation.