Approach to Social Work and Social Justice

 

    After taking a class on social work, I started thinking about it as a professional field that I see myself serving in the support system to enhance justice and equality for all. I care about all kinds of people who overcome life’s challenges for multiple reasons. I spent the first few years of college studying society and how individuals adapt to the world with social, behavioral, psychological, and cultural factors that impact human functioning. The coursework that provided me with scope and knowledge of social justice issues got me interested in pursuing a successful career in social work. While completing the course my participation in online discussions and group projects helped me develop collaborative skills related to professional practice with clients and populations to make a big difference in their lives. As a college student, the Social Sciences department has given me the opportunity to explore areas of study (such as sociology,  psychology, anthropology, personal and community health, and lifespan development) that increased my confidence about beginning the journey for a social work experience in the future.  Below is an academic essay I wrote during my final week of this semester which presents details on social welfare combination of roles equivalent to social work practice and intervention. It includes key concepts and approaches to justice emphasizing the need for equitable access to opportunities and resources in order for individuals to function normally.

 

History of Social Work and Social Welfare

 

Social work is a primary profession that works within a social welfare system. The term welfare means alleviating injustice that impacts a person’s quality of life and providing aid to populations in need. It has been one of the fastest-growing fields in the past and present. The field involves diverse roles that help meet the basic needs of life to enhance social well-being. The social welfare system provides a wide range of organized activities to shape human functioning and make the world a better place. Social workers who work with clients to address social problems engage in multiple roles focusing on planned change and process.  The areas of practice serve vulnerable groups of people on welfare to bring together opportunities and resources available for their needs to be met. Social work professionals advocate for welfare policies and changes to promote social justice that impact a person’s lifestyle. The types of social work and social welfare vary depending on the identification of justice issues and diversity of specific populations. Child welfare is one of the significant pieces of assistance provided to children, youth, and their families experiencing similar problems that include child abuse and neglect.

            In the early history of social welfare, the English heritage and the church demonstrated a powerful influence on the philosophy of welfare. Despite the economic hardships facing the Industrial Revolution, the English parliament passed the Elizabethan Poor Laws that required government to handle the poor.  The poor laws went into effect throughout the colonial times until the Social Security Act of 1936. Under the Poor Law the government raised taxes and regulated the funds to dependent children as perishes were established for unemployed and the helpless (Says, 2016). In 1601, many able-bodied residents were placed in indoor relief when identified as poor individuals with very little or no access to financial resources. In contrast, the government established outdoor relief as a form of welfare given to the poor in exchange for money, food, and shelter without being institutionalized. The settlement house movement consists of neighborhood services to immigrants and provides residence for the homeless who need a safe place to live. It became the first to combat poverty as a result of the Elizabethan Law. The support services to families and dependent children were created by charity organizations and assistance programs that are critical of scientific philanthropy as it comes to welfare. The Great Depression was the time when the federal government gained responsibility to implement social welfare policies following an economic recession and the rollout of the Poor Laws. The Social Security Act of 1936 is significant because it allowed state and local governments to distribute aid to the elderly and those who have a disability. It includes old-age pensions and monthly payments for those who are no longer working to earn a living (Britannica, 2019). This legislation ensures that income is completely secure and recipients who receive aid have access to social insurance and unemployment benefits. The system remained in the 1860’s that expanded programs to provide childcare and financial support to families with both parents working in low-paying jobs. The 1990’s marked “an end to welfare as we know it” since the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton to eliminate welfare while putting people to work for certain wages. The act replaced AFDC with TANF, a program that provides limited benefits over a 5-year period to single mothers and the working-poor who still work while relying on government assistance. The welfare reform has made it easier to find better employment to maximize the wages to provide care for their children.  It helped low-income recipients keep the wages affordable to become financially competent in the workforce. Therefore, these changes to welfare systems reduced the number of people receiving benefits.

 

Diversity and Social Justice Issues

 

The diversity of cultural backgrounds that face social and economic injustice include race and ethnicity, gender, age, social class, and persons with a disability. Social workers who serve in law enforcement agencies and criminal justice systems respond by ensuring all people have access to the same rights and privileges, with regards to equality and justice. The role that social justice plays on different types of people relies constantly on policies and programs to reduce discrimination and prejudice. As for people of color, evidence has shown that they are three times more likely to live in poverty than whites. Structural racism is the most widely existing form of injustice in the U.S where oppressed minorities struggle for racial equality. It is estimated that incidents still happen in the verge of racial discrimination, while law enforcement agencies are seeking to promote equal rights of all (Ambrasino, 2016). Those of color are less likely to receive education and quality healthcare than their counterparts. Many African American groups live in urban areas facing prejudice and discrimination because they are identified as individuals using drugs and alcohol, having lack access to medical care, and possibly those who receive prison sentences. The steps are taken by civil rights movements globally to ban segregation from institutions among all groups in society. People in rural areas experience economic injustice because of poverty and very few jobs being available. Not having health insurance is a result of discrimination and oppression. The social welfare system seeks to stand against discrimination through direct action, advocating for policies that promote equal treatment of all people. Social workers are advocates who believe everyone has the right to fully participate in society, no matter who we are and how our differences impact us.

            Disability is the largest group in the country with similar issues related to physical, cognitive, and emotional capacity. Ableism exists among individuals with disabilities who are unfairly treated by the able-bodied. They become socially isolated and are at risk for poorer health under the condition as well as those with mental illness. The injustice of both groups are linked to job loss and inadequate funding for support services. Social workers mainly work with oppressed individuals to improve the opportunity structure and help them lead productive lives. The primary goal of social justice involves creating a system of opportunities that shape capacity and well-being of all populations.

 

Social Work Practice: Methods of Intervention

 

            Social workers are role models that assist clients in strengthening human well-being. A key to success in professional practice includes applying knowledge of human behavior and methods of intervention to understand social justice among individuals, groups, communities, and organizations. The areas of practice take place in public and private settings. There are many sets of methods used in social work that guide interventions to alleviate injustice. An ecological/systems framework and theory is an important strategy applied in generalist practice that helps them deal with social welfare problems and interactions between client systems and the environment. A social worker may work with a family whose child has learning disabilities and needs help with school, and a parent addicted to alcohol. A systems perspective is necessary to look at the relationship between environmental factors and system levels (family and school). The curriculum guidelines suggest that analyzing the theories and methods of intervention is taught to help students deepen scientific knowledge of social problems by selecting appropriate approaches that incorporate a client’s situation (Freeman, 2013). The systems perspective would also help the social work practitioner understand child abuse and neglect. In addition to working with children and families, the ability to connect them with resources and programs that address related problems is an important factor of problem-solving approach. Generalist practitioners are typically knowledgeable of change that impact the functioning of all levels of society.   It enables them to understand the uniqueness of a client’s cultural world and empower the situation. Incorporating multiple perspectives allows them to engage in appropriate stages of a helping process while being aware of the strengths and limitations of a client or group. The process begins with defining the problem, so that a social worker pays special attention to a client’s needs. Then the goals for the client’s life must be identified before assessing his or her needs. The final stage includes evaluating solutions to the problem.  Social work practitioners develop positive relationships and strong communication skills to help clients cope with problems. With compassion and respect to their rights, helping them make life decisions on their behalf is critical in practice. They conduct interviews, assessments, and record information about a specific situation to achieve intervention.  Applying and analyzing research on intervention options is vital in exploring resources with individuals, groups, and organizations. When working in groups, social workers have the responsibility to establish leadership and purpose that is in their best interests. Effective interpersonal skills are needed to lead group work by helping members interact with one another and carry out a plan for termination to meet their needs.  Having friendly conversations with them is key. Social workers who work with child and family systems provide counseling and reality therapy to cope with stressors that affect them.  They may also facilitate planning for recreation activities among natural groups who are school-aged. Group work is a skill that many social workers need to understand how personal outcomes impact the other and come together the solutions to achieve the purpose and dignity.

 

Fields of Practice and Populations Served by Social Workers

 

The fields of practice cooperate with other helping professions. Generalist social workers are employed in direct practice settings that provide basic counseling and case management. While generalist practitioners have a bachelor’s degree in social work, specialist social workers go through advanced training and work in clinical settings with a master’s degree or higher. According to the Council of Social Work Education, specialization contributes to related areas like mental health, along with vocational rehabilitation and intensive counseling. The difference is that specialization can be done in private practice focusing on crisis intervention. Social workers usually work full-time in local health organizations, government agencies, hospitals, schools, and community outreach facilities. There are jobs in mental health and Human Resources that pay social workers the most, however some professions have a median salary that is insufficient enough to receive less wages over a timely record.

            Many social workers are committed to providing support to diverse groups in need. Individuals who work within a child welfare delivery system attempt to address issues that affect a child’s health and well-being (Ambrosino, 2016). Child welfare provide preventive care to keep kids safe in their homes and ensure that court orders are permissible. Parental education facilitates skill development to care for a dependent child.  The services to children and families also deal with substance abuse and child maltreatment. The practice with communities and social service agencies focuses on program planning and policy development in community organizations. They make sure that adequate funding is distributed to residents who are disabled and live in poverty. These include affordable and accessible housing, public transportation, health care, etc. Not all recipients have access to services, but many are still limited. For instance, in urban areas people have a lot more options to consider than those in rural areas. Service providers trained in cities have better knowledge and experience in engaging clients with resources. Medicaid programs operate by federal and state government to serve populations on welfare, with eligibility requirements to obtain benefits. The state and county departments of health/human services provide food assistance and volunteers to help communities that are vulnerable. A social worker may help clients qualify for SSI and CHIP whenever they need it. But they also work with government agencies to make policy changes as appropriate to the situation. The roles in administration and planning are officially successful in providing community support and establishing networks with organizations. The support given to individuals in need promotes justice and increased well-being of others. Social workers not only advocate their clients for change but also inform them of a wide range of programs that best meet their needs.

 

The Future of Social Work

Social work has continued to be a fast-growing field in the world. The new technologies will change the future of the profession due to digital development. The profession has evolved over time as globalization rises. The use of telecommunication has recently been integrated into the industry to prepare for the future of education and interactions with clients. Social workers that remain committed to enhance individual wellbeing are moving into multiple tasks to address the most complex needs of families, organizations, and communities. At this point they’re facing new challenges that make the profession more demanding. Economic inequality has increased with cuts to funding and growing numbers of the poor.  Social workers will still be needed to promote social and economic justice in the coming years of practice.

 

  The reason people choose to become social workers is because they want to help their clients address with issues that impact the attitudes toward their differences. I believe that a career in social work is a good choice for anyone interested in helping others. It’s also incredibly challenging because it sometimes puts them at risk of emotional disruption from incidents that would need to be addressed properly. Most workplaces have supervisors available to ensure all tasks are being done effectively and no conflicts are happening during client visits. It takes a long time to get licensed before qualifying for a social work job, so practitioners must often concentrate on their education and training to earn a degree or certification. Until they finish school, they should do volunteer work and internships to prepare for the workforce while continuing their studies. I am hoping to get into disability policy as a specialty with a bachelor’s degree in social work and do whatever I can to reduce discrimination against the disabled. The considerations for my top priorities would focus on advocating for the rights of people with disabilities to promote inclusion in able-bodied communities. The goal of this type of work is to improve the quality of life for individuals to direct their services. I have decided to work in an agency that implements protocols to ensure reasonable accommodations are made for education, employment, housing, eneuhment activities, and new construction. As a policy social worker I hope to have a team that will support my local  authorities to act as an advocate for those who overcome discrimination and need assistance to cope with problems.  It’s going to be an exciting experience for me, and I’d try my best to take as many risks as possible to build a successful future.

 

 

References

Ambrosino, R. (2016). Social work and social welfare: An introduction. Australia: Cengage Learning.

Betts, J. (n.d.). Examples of Social Justice Issues Facing the World. Retrieved December 05, 2020, from https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-social-justice-issues-facing-the-world.html

Britannica, E. (2019, December 11). Social Security Act. Retrieved December 05, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Social-Security-Act-United-States-1935

Children, Youth and Family Services. (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://dbh.dc.gov/service/children-youth-and-family-services

Freeman, E. (2013, June 11). Methods of Practice Interventions. Retrieved December 09, 2020, from https://oxfordre.com/socialwork/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-247

The Future of Social Work. (2017, August 28). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://upcea.edu/the-future-of-social-work/

Koski, J. A. (2002). Substance Abuse Intervention, Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Systems Change Strategies. Helping Individuals, Families, and Groups to Empower Themselves (Book). Addiction, 97(6), 764–765. https://doi-org.libproxy.howardcc.edu/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.t01-4-00181.

Poverty | Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia says:, Says:, J., Says:, T., Says:, V., Says:, D., & *, N. (2016, December 01). English Poor Laws. Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/poor-laws/

 

 

 

 

My Proposal on Self-Advocacy for Students with Disabilities

The purpose of this post is to provide information about the importance of self-advocacy and how effective the strategies should be in empowering the capacity to engage in decision-making on their behalf. There are issues that impact the communication between disabled and able-bodied persons and the way institutions view their rights and privileges. Self-advocacy defines the process of learning to communicate with all people showing confidence and a sense of identity. I have highlighted a list of questions with background notes on each one—once you read through, you’ll see what it means to be a good advocate for yourself and methods that should be taught to solidify your personal responsibilities. My audience for this post is mainly people with disabilities and their caregivers.

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy is the ability to tell people the things that are important to you and speak up for what you need and want.  Someone who advocates for change is responsible for encouraging their rights and it gives him/her the power to lead the life without feeling worthless about the things we can’t control.  Learning to self-advocate involves learning your rights and getting information about what you think is important. Because life is always challenging, self-advocacy plays a critical role in saying how we think and feel about the way things are done and being able to communicate our own choices and possibilities that shape our rights.  Everyone needs to speak up for themselves when something affects their life.  For example, imagine that you have a disability and you have difficulty doing laundry in your apartment; you should ask for help so the caregiver knows what to do for you.  It doesn’t mean your rights are necessarily denied if you don’t get the help you need; it could mean that the people around you don’t know the best way to support your needs because you haven’t expressed your specific and unique needs. The same thing extends to all areas of life, including the workplace. If there are any issues related to your workplace experience due to your disability, don’t be afraid to express your concerns with your employer and plan a meeting to explain your limitations and what sort of accommodations you need.  Being an effective advocate allows you to improve the quality of your life as well as making life choices to achieve the goals.

As children grow up, parents are obligated to manage activities and situations for them until they get out of high school to begin the journey to become independent. With regard to self-advocacy, it’s good to practice communicating your own thoughts and feelings about the things that others are supposed to be helping you with because parents will not always be there to assist you.  Being assertive rather than aggressive and making informed choices on your own behalf is essential.  The most important strategy of self-advocacy is for you to decide what to speak up for and carry out a plan on how you want to monitor the situation.  It takes a lot of practice as you learn to determine what is in your best interests, so don’t ever give up!

What are the Self-Advocacy Policies?

There are many people in the world who are ignored for having negative attitudes toward disabilities that pose discrimination and disrespect by their counterparts. The goal to protect human rights for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses is to implement policies that empower them to develop self-advocacy skills as a lifelong process. Having a disability doesn’t mean your life should be limited. Everyone should have the same human rights, regardless of a disability or illness. You have the right to be treated equally, the right to education, the right to employment opportunities and the right to safe housing.  The self-advocacy movement began in the 1960’s by a group of individuals with intellectual disabilities that became a huge influence on the whole world.  Many self-advocates also have the skills to support the rights of other people with disabilities to help them enrich their lives.  A useful tool to strengthen the skills is to learn about the laws that protect your rights to deepen the understanding of accessibility based on services and public buildings.  The Americans with Disabilities Act, for example, is the most significant influence on disability rights because it prohibits discrimination against disabled communities in the United States.  The movement worked to eliminate the negative stereotypes on disability or chronic illness in order to treat them with kindness and respect and equal rights.  The fight for accessible transportation, housing, and public facilities with wheelchair ramps and elevators has made a positive change in the way society represents the general population regardless of a disability.  Following the passage of the ADA, individuals with many types of disabilities were finally able to travel around the country, attend school with able bodied students, participate in adaptive sports and theatre, and have job opportunities with better access to support services and assistive technology.  The policies also encourage parents to teach their children how to develop self-advocacy skills preparing them for their transition to adulthood. 

All people deserve the same rights to function in society, but there are still cases where some are denied the services and supports they need. Therefore, it’s important for those people to learn the law and how to appeal if they don’t receive enough support to live independently.  It’s important to always remember that you can do whatever you want as long as you have the skills to advocate on your own. Unfortunately, you will need to take charge for everything when you live independently because your friends and family may not be around all the time to assist you. You should demand your rights when they aren’t given to you. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides the requirements that all institutions must accept and follow. Rejection of these rights means violating the law. Many states have organizations that serve people with disabilities, providing information on services and advocacy to support their goals.

What Are Self-Advocacy Skills?

The process of developing self-advocacy skills should begin for students who are still attending high school— this will encourage them to achieve confidence in transition to successful lives. These skills are necessary for persons with disabilities to help them better understand their needs, plan for the future, and increase the level of independence. When you are learning how to speak up for yourself, many of us would assume that you are aware of your rights and accomplishments throughout your academic journey. It is important to have creativity and a positive attitude to make yourself an effective self-advocate. Parents and teachers should let students learn to make decisions for themselves, especially during their high school years. Knowing how to get what you need is a key to self-advocacy as the ability to communicate the needs to others. It is important to note that not all educational institutions and employment facilities provide modifications without some sort of pressure. That is why you need to learn about your goals, strengths, and weaknesses to emphasize the need for accommodations.  I have found that most teachers are open to guidance on their disabled students and want to help enhance their academic performance. Having a good student/teacher relationship makes it easier to get help and it allows them time to modify assignments. Being an effective self-advocate usually means you are the expert on your differences, and you are the one who can educate others on what you need to be successful. You must always know yourself, but you also must be polite and clear about what you are standing up for. The process is key to helping students with disabilities prepare for the real-world experience. Skill-building is essential to be taught in special education to set their goals for success. Learning to ask for accommodations should be the main priority for individuals with specific disabilities so they can be provided with access to resources such as post-secondary education, employment opportunities, housing, etc. Students should participate in IEP meetings with the special educators to discover options for college and job training that fit their needs. Summer colleges and internship programs are helpful ways to develop self-determination skills and offer support in transition planning. Some people with learning disabilities require adult involvement in making choices for them since they may not even be capable of knowing their rights.

Why is Self-Advocacy so Important?

The more you know what you need, the better you are able to speak up for yourself.  This skill is important to learn how to decide what you need help with and what is possible. This will improve the personal responsibility to figure out what you need to accomplish life goals.  Helping others know and understand your needs will form healthy relationships so they can help you become successful and competent in life. College requires students with special needs to reach a greater level of self-advocacy starting early in high school.  It also builds self-sufficiency as a vital aspect of maturity achievement. Learning to self-advocate in school provides an opportunity to ask for accommodations and become independent in social situations. Most schools have good teachers and staff who want to help students be successful, but sometimes they don’t truly know how unless they explain that their needs are important to them.  Parents who teach children how to speak up for themselves promote independence that increases during adolescence and emerging adulthood.  By learning to self-advocate with family, friends, and colleagues, you must be able to take action to make sure your needs are met in a respectful manner. Remember that people are not “mind readers” and they can’t anticipate what you need without being asked for help— so it’s important to be confident about how you’re going to speak up for yourself and the kind of help you need is given. Try saying it out loud with a clear voice... that way people will always pay attention to what you’re asking for. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about you; they just don’t know how to help. The best strategy to help you become an effective advocate would be something called “rhetoric.” It makes communication more powerful and fluid. Being rhetorically persuasive about your needs helps the listener to understand exactly what you’re trying to say; the power of knowledge about your needs stimulates fluency and it can pour information into someone else’s mind. Your needs shouldn’t be ignored or withdrawn; at some point there’s no reason to not communicate them.  Although it may seem intimidating at first, probably because you are shy or unsure what to say to someone. Trust yourself and be honest when asking for anything you believe is important, whether you’re a student or employee wanting to do better at using the skills to overcome the obstacles. It’s a good time to be kind and have as much patience as possible. Be confident and optimistic when asking people questions. Don’t let someone make decisions about your needs on your behalf—that could make you less able to speak up for yourself in the long run. Learning to understand your specific needs is hard, but it will prepare you for the rest of your life as you move out of the family home to live on your own.

My thoughts on The Affordable Care Act

The main definition of the Affordable Care Act is the federal legislation that extended health insurance coverage for uninsured individuals with low income.  The law was enacted in March, 2010 by President Barack Obama and the House of Representatives that helped millions of Americans gain access to healthcare coverage for many reasons. Also known as Obamacare, it has two major parts; the first is titled Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, second is Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. The act was designed to make affordable insurance more available and expand tax credits for people with pre-existing conditions.  It went into effect in 2014, mandated insurance companies to accept all applicants at no cost and individuals to  buy health insurance when they need it. The law improved the quality of healthcare by reducing income inequalities of uninsured individuals ranging from 20 to 40 million.  The amendment overhauled individual markets in the expansion of Medicaid and employer based insurance plans, which allowed individuals to pay the taxes as healthcare coverage increases. 

 

            The ACA is vital to various populations in need, such as poverty, the mentally ill, and those with disabilities.  Those who need long term healthcare are eligible for Medicaid related benefits that are essential to address their needs.  The ACA gained support of the majority to lower the cost of healthcare and make sure insurers don’t deny the applicant’s status before receiving the benefits. 

 

            Not everyone can afford healthcare if they are sick or need immediate medical assistance. The ACA gives people adequate access to affordable medications and therapy appointments.  Not having healthcare coverage can put them at risk of serious conditions that require hospitalization, long term care in nursing homes and intensive care facilities, and even death.  Coverage is always important to not only increase the affordability of certain types of care but also save people’s lives.  There are many individuals that receive treatment because of the ACA.  Since 2010, the Obama administrations worked on the law that resulted in the decline of mortality rates over three years.  The ACA implemented Obamacare programs to improve medical capacity on hospitalized patients.  Research suggests that there were approximately 1.3 million fewer deaths since the law went into effect.  The conclusions about the research on affordable healthcare stated that about 12 million dollars are saved in addition to the number of survivors suffering from disease. Examples of patient related problems included in the ACA are high blood pressure, drug addiction, and infectious diseases that limit their chances of survival. 

 

            Millions of Americans have already gotten affordable insurance under ACA, which has been successful in keeping them out of debt while eliminating medical expenses.  The factors that covered people under these provisions include financial aid for insurance premiums and subsidies to provide them access to resources through Medicaid.  However, it is possible that the law will be overturned by the Supreme Court that could result in further consequences for healthcare systems.  The ruling against the act might have multiple effects on coverage, but actually we don’t know yet what will happen if it changes at some point.  Some parts of the law may remain in place if not totally erased.  Everyone needs health insurance for a lifetime so their health needs can be met.  For instance, it is difficult to afford doctor visits and treatment without health insurance and it increases the risk of developing severe symptoms if people delay care due to cost.  The goal is to live healthy lives and have the freedom to support ourselves and others.  We need to continue to do our best to avoid losing healthcare and find new ways to securely bring back affordable insurance even if the ACA no longer exists. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

My Life During Covid-19

 

Hi everyone! I want to share the story about the experiences of going through the troubling times throughout the global pandemic. I understand that it’s been a tough year for everybody and that many people all around the world are suffering. Because COVID-19 is one of the most dangerous and highly contagious diseases in my lifetime, avoiding catching it has been the only thing that I have really been doing since March, as we’re all put under lockdown measures to slow the spread of the virus. It’s challenging and insane. Millions of people worldwide got infected, however the government mandated wearing masks and social distancing in many states/territories to prevent it. So, I am updating the summary of what it’s like to live this way as a person with RTD. The story I’m telling will explain the important things people who are like me should do to keep themselves safe and healthy. I hope this information is helpful to give readers a better idea of accepting the terms of our lives during the pandemic. The summary provides the knowledge about the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the challenges you all have faced.  This is important to understand and recognize the precautions against the virus. 

 

I have RTD Type 2 which means I’m at a higher risk and I was told that I must avoid being around others in public. The risk for catching the virus causes symptoms that are temporarily difficult to control over a short time. I usually remain at home almost everyday with my family so I don’t go anywhere without an important reason. If I have to leave the house, I just stay in the car outside public facilities while waiting for someone to return so I have to sit around and follow the precautions.  Wearing a mask doesn’t always work for me since I am a high risk person in which I have to be careful not to expose myself anything. So avoiding shopping, doctor appointments, or social gatherings for me is important unless its completely necessary. The only thing I go out is for food...especially drive-thru and carry-out. My family goes to pick up dinner every Friday night from each other’s’ favorite restaurants. It is a fun activity that has made the lockdown enjoyable. I feel isolated and bored when being stuck at home right now. But I am doing online classes and personal projects which has been going well and keeps me busy. I’m currently taking a class that introduces me to social work and offers opportunities to explore professional pathways to see what type of career I would be interested in someday. Before the pandemic I made plans to do volunteer work and find a summer internship for work experience that I had to cancel once it started. It messed up my goals for the year as a result of frustration and uncertainty about the future. It saddened me and I feel like it is creating a life that I have no control over.  The transition to a virtual world brought new challenges we have overcome because we are so used to being social and everybody is forced to separate from society. For me, because of RTD I spend most of the time online throughout the pandemic and am struggling with face-to-face interactions more than usual. I haven’t been able to see any of my friends in person for a long time, however it helps to write to them back and forth as often as possible since it’s the only way I can socialize safely. Believe me or not, the health and safety are the highest priority to take care of and go through these challenging times.

 

 While many people lost their jobs, my father is able to work remotely so he still gets paid to support my family.  The government is sending checks to those who are unemployed as a type of financial assistance many people are eligible for.  I think they are trying to make a new stimulus package come together for those who need it. The Republicans are fighting it so there isn’t any new help yet. You know how lucky I am to have family around? I turned 23 in March and still live at my parents’ house so I can still rely on physical assistance with my daily routine. I have an assistant who works for me four days a week to help me with my schoolwork and other things around the house. My younger brother started his junior year of high school recently, but classes are all online.  My sister and I both are college students doing the same and it’s absolutely a difficult way of learning. Schools and community centers in my county remain closed following the outbreak. Remote employment and learning are the best ways to avoid putting your health at risk, although it doesn’t sound like fun. Therefore, when some businesses reopened too soon it led to a spike of COVID-19 cases and that’s reckless behavior. That’s why I can’t go in the public to get the chances of catching the virus. Hopefully it will go away, however it will take time to get this under control. This is how life is for everyone as the pandemic flourishes.

The good news is that we live in a time where technology makes our situation a little easier.  There is fast internet available that allows us to access school, business media and networking. People have the option of ordering groceries online and then driving to pick them up. I found it slightly overwhelming when the situation changed and we were beginning a virtual experience to help prevent COVID-19, but I am getting used to it. In my free time I’ve been trying to relax, create my artwork, and practice drumming to cope with the troubling times.

 

The advice I have for you is to hang in there. Things will improve when the case rate declines and the world gets back to normal. I’m hoping scientists will find a vaccine to work against the virus and allow lockdowns to be lifted safely. After that I hope to restart my planning for the career and get ready to enter into the independent life.

 

"Haben" - Book Review

I just finished reading a book about a deaf-blind woman named Haben Girma, who became the first deaf-blind person to graduate from Harvard Law School. Haben went through life with special challenges but was able to successfully adapt into the sighted/hearing world. She serves as an advocate for disability rights and her contributions to the disabled population are a huge influence on me. I found her life story inspiring and I would consider her as an example of how people with disabilities can be successful in a mainstream environment. The fact that Haben’s deaf-blindness doesn’t stop her from enjoying life and reaching her goals relates back to my own hopes and ideas I have about the future. Below is a summary of the book I read with specific details from my own life.

Haben was born on July 29, 1988, during the Eritrean war against Ethiopia. As she grew-up, she experienced the discoveries of what it means to be blind and believed that blindness isn’t a bad way to view the sighted world. 

In early years of her life, she was educated in a mainstream school where she learned to read and write in braille with assistive technology as well as the support from her vision teacher. The ability to gain the skills as a blind person led her to further academic progress. The school she attended had teachers who were trained to teach blind kids and give them helpful tools to succeed in all tasks. Her participation in the classroom was technically difficult since she couldn’t see or hear the teacher’s instructions on what everyone in class was expected to do. Haben relied on a translator to ask for homework assignments to complete to be sure she never fell behind. The way she communicates normally involves letting someone type what others say on a brallie computer. She did not have many friends in school, but was offered an opportunity to meet children at camp who were also blind. When she started summer camp, she made a best friend named Robin who understood her obstacles. They both joined a small group of campers and held a dance class together. 

As a teenager, Haben traveled to Mali with a nonprofit organization called BuildOn. While in there she did volunteer work to build a school. It provided her with confidence in knowing how to help others and making decisions on her own. During the discussion with her parents about her transition plans, they worried about her situation and felt that it wouldn’t be safe for her to go to college. Her solution was to contact someone from the National Federation for the Blind for advice on getting a service dog along with additional options for college. Upon graduation from high school, she attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind to develop independence skills through training. The instructors of the training program worked closely with her to learn the tools to succeed in college and work, such as cooking, operating the wood saw, and travel skills. The chance of physical injury when cutting herself and crossing the train track were a couple of the mistakes she made during training sessions. But with the guidance from instructors she was able to improve these skills by understanding when to seek. Haben stayed at LCB for six months and spent nights with a group of blind peers in an apartment setting. They all played hide-and-seek which Haben believes is fun to do for all blind kids. After she finished, she went on to the Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. College was her first experience of being independent. She was able to navigate the campus on her own with a cane and request accommodations from the disability support services, with braille-featured materials that she could access to course materials. She asked them to send her lunch menus in digital braille that were made accessible. They were copied and pasted on a computer file so Haben could read before deciding the meal. She developed good friendships with the fellow students on campus, especially her roommate and the people in the cafeteria. Because the cafeteria was incredibly hectic, she had a hard time hearing what others say and asked them to speak as loudly as possible. The ability to advocate for herself in an effective way improved her conversational skills. She was very thankful for the experience and the solutions that were worked out. She spent the summer months exploring employment options for the blind and developing a partnership with a service dog at the Seeing Eye training center. The instructor named the dog Maxine and helped Haben leash her around the block. She thought the dog is amazing, although accidents happen sometimes as professionals warn it’s not safe for a blind person to walk with dogs rather than a cane. Haben was capable of having the strategy to train and harness Maxine properly at any place they went. They both went skiing together to build a loving relationship. 

She then applied to Harvard Law School where she studied to become disability rights attorney. Maxine was there with her. She introduced the dog to her fellow students in the university and they thought it was inspiring. At the beginning of her first semester at Harvard, they hired and assigned her the translators who were trained to communicate with her in classes through sign language and an FM transmitter system. Despite the communication barriers she faced in an educational environment, she designed and invented a Bluetooth keyboard connected wirelessly to the braille computer for people to type the conversation with her. The technology solutions reduced her isolation. After graduating from law school, she served as an advocate at the National Federation for the Blind. The organization has its ultimate goal in providing information accessibility and employment opportunities for the deaf and blind. Haben learned from her own discrimination how important her advocacy skills were to protect the rights that led to a successful and exciting career. She attended the White House ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. During this event she went on stage to introduce herself to the audience and meet other lawyers with disabilities. President barrack Obama gave his speech stating that an African American deaf blind woman has the right to be a lawyer and that all individuals with disabilities should have access to resources. 

I enjoyed the book I read and learned that deafblind people have success in their professional journey. Unlike most blind people, my eyesight doesn’t require braille. Instead I read and write in enlarged font as well as seeing things over short distances which I call sensory blindness or “low vision.” If I were like Haben, I would consider pursuing a guide dog to have companionship if the program can provide adequate training. The assistive technologies I used in the past have benefited my educational experience which has advanced my tools to develop skills in reading and writing. In recent years the counselor from the Office for Students with Disabilities at my community college has been helping to make course materials accessible. She communicates with the professors to plan accommodations to help me succeed in the designated environment. By the beginning of my first semester, I received an accessible tablet to make reading easier and faster. The device is called Prodigi Connect and it was purchased and received by the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services. 

Both Haben and I face similar obstacles in the way our deafblindness lacks accessibility. The part about her experiences at Harvard struck me the most because I’ve been thinking about transferring to UMBC to study to become a disability social worker. When I get there, I hope to receive the same opportunities to meet students with similar experiences. Like Haben and many others, I will continue to explore a range of options to figure out what I want to do. In my opinion, becoming a disability rights advocate with a degree in social work and a related field in law is absolutely a great career path to choose by any disabled individual. My personal plan is to always bring my iPad everywhere I go with a wireless keyboard for people to communicate with me. Also, I see myself making plans to travel around the country, places where I could attend conference meetings with advocacy organizations to learn about disability rights. If I do, someday I would be interested in meeting Haben and people in the organization she works for. Her story is wonderful, and I appreciate the ideas she has about creating a deafblind community that shape our culture. With her story fresh in the top of my mind, I’m going to use these ideas to help plan for my own future. 

If you are interested in learning more about her, click the links below to view additional information. 

https://habengirma.com/ 

https://www.amazon.com/Haben-Deafblind-Woman-Conquered-Harvard/dp/1538728729

Understanding Lifespan Development

You may already know what development means in terms of human beings that shape our lives. In general, development is the process of building personal freedom and capabilities that influence the well-being. The definition is simple, so you can recognize the meaning as “to create growth, progress, and capacity to change.”  Another way to define the term is to distinguish between a person’s state of well-being and the use of technical knowledge to meet the requirements for life. The key factors of development among humans include making choices of what to do in life, who to become, and how to control yourself over everything within the inside. People develop a wide range of experiences by constructing their knowledge and understanding of the world. It is important to note that there are millions of opportunities out there humans seek literally to perceive freedom and success in the course of their development, although not everyone has exactly the same freedom and capacity to turn toward life’s reality. Your brain and body both work together as a living organism made up of cells that facilitate growth and regulation of loss.  Psychologists use the concept to study how the brain grows and declines throughout the stages of life, identify positive and negative effects of development, and employ physical, intellectual, and socioemotional processes based on multiple disciplines. Scientific research exists worldwide since decades ago that played a critical role in determining the impact of life events on development toward social relationships. Developmentalists do their own research in a laboratory to collect information from participants about a problem before they truly make conclusions. For example, if you are a psychology major, you will need to take statistics and research analytics classes to learn the most accurate methods and steps to perform representative sampling for specific data about the problem.   This field of study helps students better understand the ethics of researching development to solve life problems. It still has challenges and complications, but it takes time and work to get familiar with the activity. Understanding development can make you an effective problem-solver while improving the lives of all individuals and their communities. This topic has gained interest in preparing for careers in education, childcare, counseling, social work, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to have a keen of knowledge and scope to support individuals who struggle to develop normally, because you want to be a good role model and have as much practice for your clients as possible. Advanced communication skills are important to serve the needs of people. Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate programs available for students interested in learning more about different approaches to development that apply to any career path they choose. Some professions require a master’s degree or higher depending on the field.

Lifespan development is a comprehensive approach that deals with changes in personal growth in different stages of life. It begins at birth and continues until old age. We can call it a “life cycle” as it goes through a lifespan, which describes the number of experiences that affect an organism’s perceptions at each developmental level. Positive changes occur when a person maintains physical and cognitive functioning at any age, so if you have good health habits because of less stress and how physically active you become, you are probably aware that these factors of development can lead to a longer and healthy life. If you are socially isolated or abuse alcohol and other drugs, it puts you at increased risk of developing poorly as you get older. Socioemotional development includes engaging in secure relationships with others that have a positive impact on the lifestyle. Children living with families with clear expectations and guidance from their parents become satisfied with their lives as adults. Those that receive emotional support of parents and friends develop high self-esteem which motivates them to become socially competent in peer relations. All children need socialization in school, at home, and activities. As a developmentalist, it is important to figure out ways to handle the situation people face at the meantime using effective coping strategies. For example, you could recommend a child with emotional problems to get into special education where teachers can promote an environment that is appropriate for their learning and developing adequate social skills with facilitation.

Cognitive development refers to the ability to learn, think, and reason; whereas physical abilities include motor development and sensory functioning. Children begin developing language perceptions as they learn to read and write. As preschoolers and kindergarteners, they establish friendships with other children I the same age to achieve basic goals as they mature into future relationships. Those who obtain support from parents and teachers are most likely to become independent and satisfied with their lives than those that don’t. As children grow older, they are encouraged to overcome the challenges in academic achievement by mastering the skills needed to meet the requirements of the curriculum, such as reading, math, English, and science.  As a result of doing well in school, they are allowed to manage the activities that give them an opportunity to be active and form social networks with others engaged in similar tasks.  A perfect example includes joining a club or sports team, these physical activities provide individuals with interpersonal skills to cooperate with one another. 

Erik Erikson

 One of the most popular developmental theories studied worldwide is Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development. This theory is often viewed as an argument against Freud’s idea of psychosexual development, emphasizing that people go through eight stages of life rather than what he previously believed. In fact, Erikson states that an individual completing each stage successfully and virtually has a positive outcome on personality development at any age. Psychologists analyze and apply the theory in their perspective to examine the balance between personality traits and changes in individual experiences. Below is a brief description of Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development listed in correct order:

1. Trust vs. Mistrust

This is the first stage of Erikson’s theory that lasts for about one and a half years after a baby is born. During this stage, an infant relies on consistent care of parents and other adult relatives. Developing a sense of trust is an important ingredient in early infancy toward the support of caregivers. If an infant is securely attached to a caregiver, he or she experiences virtue of hope that people will be there as a prevalent predictor of positive relationships with others. Sometimes infants cry when being left alone and may require trained babysitters to care for them ahead of parents’ work schedule. Secure attachment of responsible adults can improve an infant’s temperament and ability to soothe themselves before transitioning to the second phase of life. If the care they receive isn’t consistent enough, mistrust occurs dramatically that will lead to fear or loneliness.

2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

This second stage of development begins at two to three years of age. Children are encouraged to explore their abilities to acquire independence and self-control in which they develop physically. The parental roles involve helping children learn to take care of themselves and make choices about activities they enjoy doing. During this stage they assert their independence and strengthen motor skills to increase control of their movements. Effective strategies of developing a sense of autonomy include walking on their own, putting shoes and socks on, and picking up toys to play with. The failure to achieve physical abilities is associated with low self-control and a sense of shame and doubt.

3. Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson’s third stage of psychosocial development lasts between 3 and 5 years of age. Children learn to assert themselves more than ever before. During this stage they plan and initiate activities, ask questions about what they need and want, and have opportunities to interact with other children. As the knowledge progresses, they make up mistakes that determine the consequences of his or her behavior.  While attending preschool they establish morality by following the rules explaining what is right or wrong. If a parent or teacher becomes angry with what children have done unethically, it may cause too much guilt and they feel overwhelmed for being a nuisance. In order to reduce the feelings of guilt, it is important to treat kids the way they want to be while taking advantage of the questions they have. Having a virtue of purpose allows for a positive balance between initiation and guilt in completion of this stage.

4. Industry vs. Inferiority

At this stage, children learn specific skills to accomplish things. It occurs during middle and late childhood (5-12 years) when they develop competencies to achieve a sense of industry. They spend more time in school and away from their homes. The cognitive development in middle childhood is characterized by learning to read, write, and perform operations. Children begin to develop language abilities to increase the level of comprehension. Self-esteem is frequently a valuable source of competence developed throughout this period of time as a result of becoming confident.  Establishing close friendships are also vital to all of us that involves providing social support to enhance self-esteem. The concrete operations are performed logically with specific skills that give them a virtue of competence. In contrast, if a child has not developed these skills to achieve the goals, inferiority occurs as he or she fails to learn what is required to meet the values of society.

5. Identity vs. Confusion

According to Erikson, the transition from childhood to adulthood is completed through the development of a strong sense of self. Individuals compare themselves to others in acquisition to virtue of fidelity. It takes place in between 12 and 18 years of age. Although teenagers may feel insecure about the new experience; those that complete this stage successfully have the ability to explore their independence and make decisions about their future upon graduation from high school. Adolescents experience physical changes as they mature into emerging adulthood, having an influence on height, weight, sex hormones, and gender.  Cognitive changes include abstract thinking and knowledge of the world that lead to increasing levels of intelligence. The achievement of personal identity involves reinforcing the sense of self and committing to a path that interests an individual. High school students form genuine friendships, are sexually active, and participate in many social activities, otherwise role conflict can occur more frequently due to a steady balance between employment and studying.  Deciding on what you want to accomplish with the rest of your life is the main goal of teens to get ahead of their time. This stage of development is significant because it prepares you for the transition to college education and professional development by improving specific skills while seeking career opportunities to be successful. It means that people grow up very quickly and are getting ready to move away from their families to live their own lives and start new careers at age 18 or beyond. The failure to develop identity is a risk factor of becoming confused about themselves and it can cause serious consequences on what will happen in later stages of life.

6. Intimacy vs. Isolation

The sixth stage of development begins at age 19 and continues until the late thirties. The goal of young adulthood includes engaging in intimate relationships with others. It is possible that conflicts may occur when people don’t feel right about the partners they previously dated. However, they must be resolved using positive coping strategies to maintain a sense of intimacy. Love is a major source of intimacy by which an individual shares his or her private thoughts and feelings toward one another. Whether a couple is married or cohabitate, both individuals live together in the same household for a specific period of time. It is important to understand that the partner wants to be shown respect and kindness so you both get along. According to Erikson, this stage plays a key role in developing close connections that embrace an individual’s socioemotional aspects of life with the support of others. Failure to succeed in this stage results in isolation and loneliness. That’s why learning how to resolve all conflicts effectively can help keep the relationship smooth and fulfilling.

7. Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson’s seventh stage of development typically lasts throughout the 40’s and 50’s. During this stage, individuals become fully mature and create contributions to society as a major benefit on a younger generation. Being involved in the community is important to achieve a sense of generativity including helping others and serving as a leader of an organization. They raise and guide their children to develop while focusing on career accomplishments. Despite the developmental changes exhibited in this phase, adults try to be physically active by engaging in many leisure activities that improve their body functioning and reduce stress associated with aging effects. Middle-aged adults are both parents and full-time workers. Although conflicts may occur at some point due to demanding routines in career and family life. In the stage of generativity adults need to be creative and productive in fulfilling their accomplishments to bring contributions to the community. Failure to complete this stage leads to developing a sense of stagnation; consequences include being inactive, uninvolved, and delays in meeting the needs of other individuals of future generations.

8. Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson’s final stage of development begins at age 65 and ends at death. It describes a person reflecting on the past as aging progresses through the rest of his or her life. Individuals go through late adulthood successfully by achieving acceptance of how well they have lived. Grandparents retire and spend leisure time with their middle-aged children and grandchildren to stay active as a common sign of wisdom. Those who achieve a sense of integrity are able to recall themselves as leading successful and productive lives. Older adults that have achieved both intimacy and generativity over the past 45 years usually develop expert knowledge of their experiences in the workforce, relationships, and family life. Aging is a significant approach to human development that deals with the decline of physical and cognitive functioning when people get old. Three types of aging include successful, normal, and pathological.

 So, what did you learn about Erikson’s stages of development? Which of these do you find interesting? This most popular theory shown above is an example of how humans evolve over a lifetime, and what must be done to achieve personal growth in different phases of life. Everybody has to work hard not only to develop normally but also to become a successful individual. The best way to do so as children would be for parents and teachers to teach them all the skills they need to reach the goals such as being socially active and making good choices for themselves and others. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages in the process of development that people exhibit during each stage. For example, if someone has special needs, reasonable accommodations must be made appropriately to promote further success in all kinds of things that typically developing individuals do.  Some children and adolescents have difficulty processing information from class materials and may require the use of adaptive equipment and other accommodations registered by the special education department. Every individual is required to attend school and learn about the world as part of developmental experience. There are always opportunities to learn and of course, ask as many questions as possible about stuff you’ve never heard of before. Reading all the time can help, but also education is the biggest priority to enhance plasticity and make life interesting. Another important aspect of education is peer relations. Children build friendships with others to gain social competence.  Schools provide social activities that help children cooperate with one another to develop communication and leadership skills. As a result of becoming socially active that remains throughout the lifespan, individuals are likely to have positive romantic relationships and work experiences. Depending on how well people have gone through various levels of development, they can still have goals and opportunities to accomplish in life. Most of us go to college, hold well-paid jobs, live independently, and start a family.