Browsing by Author "Taskinen, Mirja"

Integration is realized at its best on social and psychological level i.e. through positive and approbative relationships. In Finland and around the world people with intellectual disabilities have been one of the most discriminated groups. In this study we concentrate on how the people classified as disabled have themselves experienced the realization of social integration i.e. the becoming accepted and integrated with the mainstream population. The study questions are: 1. What kinds of matters and experiences have reinforced the people classified as disabled becoming accepted and integrated with mainstream population? 2. What kinds of matters and experiences have undermined the people classified as disable becoming accepted and integrated with mainstream population? 3. What are the wishes of people classified as disabled have for the mainstream population in order to be able to experience they belong to the community better? The study material was acquired by interviewing seven people classified as disabled with by unstructured interview. The material was analysed and classified by utilizing material based content analysis. The results show that the realization of social integration still faces big challenges and also individual differences can be seen. It seems to happen through work life or hobbies especially with individuals that have worked for a long time in a normal workplace, or have friends belonging to the mainstream population. Several of the interviewees have no friends with no disabilities. Some interviewees have frequent contacts and socialized with their immediate family, but some of them, on the other hand, have no contact with their family or contact is very unfrequent. The professionals in the area, e.g. the directors of the particular housing unit, are the only sole or closer contact to the mainstream population for many interviewees. Other factors undermining the social integration are experiences of harassment and the use of the term 'retarded'. The wishes toward the mainstream population are mainly focused on human relations and interaction, like getting new friends, a closer contact with one's old friends and members of the family, as well as good and friendly treatment.