Kontakt 2005, 7(1-2):70-74 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2005.014

Factors determining the process of social integration of persons with health handicapsHealth and Social Sciences

Radka Prázdná

Základní škola Máj II v Českých Budějovicích - speciální pedagog

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Teologická fakulta

The article attempts to summarize facts determining the process of the social integration of persons with health handicaps. The integration is presented to the reader as a dynamic process with three principal components participating in its development. These are the social psychological and biological components, which are detailed in comprehensive works. The author tries to offer associated facts affecting the success of the whole process of the incorporation of a handicapped individual into the majority society. In the part making the reader familiar with social standpoints, principal conceptual models are presented, which can be observed in attitudes of the majority to the given minority. The second part aimed at psychological standpoints tries to provide an insight into specific features of the handicap psychology. This part is concluded by expressing the non-existence of a specific personality type of handicapped people. Biological conditioning particularly emphasizes the importance of the handicap type, of its extent and time of its origination for the subsequent development of the individual, particularly in the field of cognitive processes, skill and capability. The process of the social integration is considered as a way to achieving an optimum life quality of an individual with a health handicap.

Keywords: health handicap; social integration

Published: June 29, 2005  Show citation