Perceptions of a Community Program for Multiply Handicapped Blind Young Adults

Abstract

This article reports the results of a survey of the perceptions of parents of nine multiply handicapped young adults enrolled in a community living program in New Zealand and of the nine staff members who were working with the young adults. All the parents believed that the program had benefited their multiply handicapped children. Both parents and staff members strongly supported the involvement of parents in the program and the content and focus of the program. Although both the parents and the staff members believed that available support services were adequate, the social worker and adult rehabilitation services were viewed much less favorably by the parents than by the staff.