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Book reVIewS

Community care A HelPFul ASSortment
and inclusion for people
with an intellectual disability
By Robin Jackson and Maria Lyons, oF DISruPtIonS
(Editors) Published by Edinburgh:
Floris Books, (2016) John o’Brien, who has led the challenge to segregational
thinking about learning disability, enjoys the challenges presented
nless continually renewed, ideals
U that motivate social learning – by a new book on community care and inclusion
like the movement to replace custodial
institutions with settings that offer active intellectual disabilities to technologies coherent, positive stance at some
support for choice, participation and that can be prescribed, measured, distance from common cultural
growth – degenerate into a succession monitored and managed. assumptions. It is just this different
of dead slogans pasted over more of Contributors contest the meaning of angle of expression, of a common
the same impoverishment, exclusion, community, question the actual value on expanding freedom to live a
external control and maltreatment. experience of people assumed to be meaningful life, that makes Camphill
included and criticize the judgements and these chapters, valuable.
Renewal involves relentless questioning of those in the mainstream of The chapter in which Lyons
of assumptions, questioning grounded community care who act as if they considers the move for access to work
in openness to the actual experience alone know best. for people with intellectual disabilities
of people with intellectual by extending Steiner’s economic
disabilities. Renewal is disruptive; Unfortunately teachings, which decouple work from
openness can’t be taken for granted. powerful people may pay for all Camphill members, is a fne
Defences against discovering the treat Camphill as if it were and provocative example.
limits of what we wish were true, not, at its best, precious
facing demands to stretch farther and in what the life that those Chapters on the application of
learn to do better, and recognizing the who freely choose to share lessons learned from life in Camphill in
incompleteness of our understanding, contributes to our understanding democracy and
all infuence our perception. We need understanding of equality, reforming education in China,
to intentionally create opportunities to inclusive community. and promoting Bhutan’s approach to
look at what has become familiar to Gross National Happiness demonstrate
us through the eyes of people with the fow of experiences, ideas and
different perspectives and experiences. Ways of living together infuences that result from Camphill’s
The chapters of the book that hold most openness and hospitality in sharing the
Robin Jackson and Maria Lyons have interest for me recount lessons from life of its communities. A chapter that
edited a helpful assortment of Camphill, a federation of autonomous links everyday life in Camphill,
disruptions to the comfortable schools and intentional communities as it infuences and adapts to changes
conclusion that progress has reduced with people with intellectual disabilities in the world around it, exemplifes
good assistance to people with founded around the world since awareness of the need for rigorous,
1940, when refugees from Nazi continual refection and renewal.
living contracts and effectively force Austria began the frst school near Developing appreciation of the right
people into residential care. Aberdeen. I respect Camphill as I to choice, for example, gives Camphill
Policy and law support people’s rights respect other intentional communities occasions for renewal.
to remain in their own homes – (such as monasteries and co-housing)
Valuing People and Valuing People that take a disciplined approach to These hallmarks – a struggle to share
Now, The Care Act and equalities allow those who freely join to discover life as equals that transcends staff-client
legislation all support the right of and practise ways of living together – transactions; commitment to a way of
disabled people to live independently. ways that develop people and beneft living day-to-day that embodies the
Residential accommodation removes the wider community and the environ- intention to renew economics, politics
important rights, including control ment. Study and application of Rudolph and culture, and therefore our planet,
over where you live. Steiner’s esoteric teachings about as a site for development of spirit;
economics, education, art, architecture, openness and hospitality– differentiate
Kate Whittaker, public law solicitor, medicine, as well as teachings specifc Camphill from the too many
reminded people of their rights under to the care of people with intellectual consistently failing efforts to congregate
the law, including the power of the disability, shape and sustain Camphill’s and control people, reproducing
wellbeing principle in the Care Act, struggle with questions of how people institutional life whether in facilities
which spells out local authorities’ with signifcant apparent differences housing two or three or dozens.
duty to promote the individual’s can thrive in each other’s company.
wellbeing, including suitability of Defensive tone
living accommodation. Unfolding Steiner’s teachings to meet Unfortunately powerful people may
the demands of a changing world – treat Camphill as if it were not, at its
Full reports of these conferences can topics of study that occupy a best, precious in what the life that those
be found on our website: substantial number of citizens beyond who freely choose to share contributes
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Camphill – give the movement a Continued overleaf t

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 30 No 3 | Spring 2017 23