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VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES: THE MEANING OF MEMBERSHIP
Author(s) -
BRADSHAW JONATHAN,
GLENDINNIN CAROLINE,
HATCH STEPHEN
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2214.1977.tb00046.x
Subject(s) - meaning (existential) , psychology , voluntary association , turnover , social psychology , sociology , public relations , political science , management , law , psychotherapist , economics
Summary Two surveys of families caring for very severely disabled children at home reveal that about half the families belong to a voluntary organization. Membership varies by disease, social class, income, family composition and locality. Over half the non‐members would like to belong to such organizations and practical obstacles are the most common reason for not belonging. The principal benefits derived by members are the opportunities to share problems and exchange information and advice. In general such bodies have a role that is different from and complementary to statutory services.