Advocacy Project

Summary of the Problem
Individuals with various developmental disabilities face problems linked to abuse.
Developmental disabilities make one vulnerable, and, in some cases, they are seen to belong to
the outskirts of society. The result is social isolation, harassment, and abuse. People with
disabilities are at higher risk of being abused compared to individuals without disabilities. The
United States Department of Health and Human Services indicated that over eleven percent of
the abuse cases reported in the year 2009 involved children with disabilities (Treacy et al., 2018).
The abuse is likely to be done repeatedly over a long period of time owing to the inability of
individuals with disabilities to report such cases.
The abuse of individuals with intellectual disabilities extends to group home settings.
Large institutions that take care of individuals with disabilities have been closed in the past.
However, institutional forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect have not been
eliminated. While group homes are supposed to offer a safe haven, violence and abuse have
become the norm. Mistreatment is rampant in group homes, and this makes it necessary for the
government to take action and seek to bring the problem to an end. In some group homes, the
lack of enough staff members as well as the lack of proper training compound this problem. The
implication is diminished quality of life that is occasioned by the blatant disregard of the rights
of individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is important to ensure that all people are treated
with dignity and respect.
Advocacy Goal

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The intended audience is the government as well as the individuals who run group
homes. The goal of the advocacy problem is to eliminate the abuse of individuals with
intellectual disabilities in group homes. The problem can be eliminated by ensuring that group
homes are sufficiently staffed. The individuals who work in the group homes also need to be
adequately trained (Thornberry & Olson, 2005). Training will help ensure that they are equipped
to handle cases of abuse. Staff members in group homes need to be adequately renumerated. The
job should be attractive to many to ensure that it attracts talented candidates. In addition,
sufficient remuneration will be helpful in ensuring that the level of motivation of the employees
remains high.
Historically, society has harbored a negative attitude towards people with intellectual
disabilities. While a section of society has given a positive response to people with
developmental disabilities, negative responses to rejection have also been part of societal
responses to disability. It is important to change this attitude in order to eliminate the various
forms of abuse that are present in group homes. People with intellectual disabilities have various
needs. Educating people who interact with them on a daily basis is the only way of ensuring that
abuse and neglect are brought to an end. Cultural stereotypes that have characterized society for
a long period of time need to be broken. Group homes should seek to instill valuable skills that
help people with intellectual disabilities to function better. The living environments also need to
be conducive. A conducive living environment is one where institutions are safe places for
people with intellectual disabilities to thrive. Safe practices need to be instilled in staff members
to ensure that group homes do not perpetuate abuse. Staff members in group homes need to be
highly motivated, and this can only be done by paying them adequate and competitive salaries.

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References

Thornberry, C., & Olson, K. (2005). The Abuse of Individuals with Developmental
Disabilities. Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, 33, 1-19.
Treacy, A. C., Taylor, S. S., & Abernathy, T. V. (2018). Sexual health education for individuals
with disabilities: A call to action. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 13(1), 65-93.