16. Natural Supports

Worksite personnel and non-disabled community members are encouraged and trained to provide support to individuals with disabilities rather than clients being completely dependent on paid staff members for all of their support needs.

 

Why?

• Naturally occurring supports increase skill acquisition and social integration.
• Social interactions between employees with and without disabilities increase after coworkers are included in the training process.
• Natural supports decrease the phenomenon of a person with a disability being physically integrated yet socially segregated.
• By teaching people to utilize supports that are naturally available in their community, they are able to participate more independently in integrated environments with less reliance on paid staff.