장애인의 지역자립생활과 커뮤니티 임파워먼트 실천의 가능성

Abstract

This study examined the feasibility of regional lifelong education for the disabled people found in a cooperative labor activities of the disabled community, focusing on the social problemization framework for the disabled people. After reviewing the case of Muginosato, we confirmed that working learning are indispensable for the disabled people to develop their abilities and possibilities throughout their lives. It showed the role of a community sheltered workplace connecting community as one and the example of inclusive community. Working together, the disabled people experienced creative learning and self-growth, so that they could practice empowerment as independent living existence in the cooperative relationship with others in the inclusive community. Cooperative ability of the community is formed based on learning acquired through regional lifelong learning activities and its community of practice. Its self-sustaining organization, “Evening Meeting,” has the characteristics of a learning community that promotes learning and behavioral transformation in real life. Here, their desire to learn led to participation in planning “the course you want” and its lecture activities, which resulted in the promotion of behavioral changes in the community and the realization of cooperative values such as inclusive community as well as individual empowerment. In otrer words, in the spatial characteristics connected by labor-life-learning, Muginosato has challenged a new possibility of realizing community empowerment, such as independent living of the disabled people and cooperative ability growth trough relationship in the community.