OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING SOCIAL WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN RURAL AREAS (ON THE BASIS OF FOREIGN EXPERIENCE)

Abstract

Modern Ukraine is characterized by the special situation of villagers, especially those in difficult life circumstances. The problem of social life of people with disabilities living in the difficult social and economic conditions of modern village is relevant for a developing society and a crisis society. This is especially felt due to the low level of social life, difficult working and living conditions. The goal of the article is to determine the state of social work in the Ukrainian countryside, developing ways to develop this area of social work based on a comparative analysis of international experience. We used general scientific methods of empirical research (observation, comparison, description, measurement), general methods (analysis, synthesis) and the sociological approach (survey, method of document analysis). The study is based on the theory of empowerment applied to small social groups. To achieve the goal of the study, we studied the main problems of people with disabilities in rural areas and, accordingly, the main areas of social work to which they are entitled in different countries. The differences in the development and formation of the legal framework of Ukraine and Lithuania in this area of social work are analyzed. Differences in the need for different types of social services for people with disabilities living in Ukrainian and Lithuanian villages have been empirically revealed. The important role of social workers in the process of preparing people with disabilities for independent living in the community has been identified. The key idea of the theory is that the expansion of rights and opportunities gives a person independence in the development of their skills, using the resources of the environment. The development of the ability to manage their lives and the formation of the sense of self-confidence, form, in the long run, the strengths of the client and the ability to solve problems and be personally responsible for their own actions. The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the accessibility of social services for residents of villages with disabilities in Ukraine and Lithuania. The essence and experience of the Centers for Independent Living of People with Disabilities in different countries are analyzed. The basic modern approaches to social work in the conditions of rural life on the basis of the comparative analysis of the international experience are defined. The study showed that social work with people with disabilities in rural areas is characterized by general and specific features. It is established that the needs, interests, requests of the villagers are determined by the rural lifestyle, determine the content of social work, its forms and methods. The model of origin of the Centers of independent life in rural areas in Ukraine on the basis of foreign experience is suggested. The importance of creation and functioning of similar centers on the basis of foreign experience, for considerable growth of level and efficiency of social work in rural areas of Ukraine is substantiated

Keywords

• social work
• people with disabilities
• independent living
• rural assistance; empowerment