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Comparative Policy Brief: Status of Intellectual Disabilities in the Republic of Poland
Author(s) -
Wapiennik Ewa
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of policy and practice in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1741-1130
pISSN - 1741-1122
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-1130.2008.00162.x
Subject(s) - intellectual disability , institutionalisation , workforce , vocational education , social welfare , mainstream , inclusion (mineral) , population , economic growth , disability pension , welfare , parliament , political science , psychology , sociology , social psychology , psychiatry , economics , law , politics , demography
The prevalence of intellectual disability (ID) in Poland is estimated at 47.8/10,000 among the population aged over 15 years. Although progress has recently been documented in the development of more positive attitudes toward integration of people with disabilities in society, social distance toward those with ID is persistent. Several Acts of Parliament apply to Polish people with intellectual and other disabilities, for example, in respect to pensions, healthcare, and education. It is possible for families to place a child with ID in one of 103 social welfare homes which are not part of the education system. There is no widespread inclusion of children with ID in mainstream schools, although precise data are not available. Adults with ID may receive a pension if they can demonstrate inability to work. Some may be placed in social welfare homes if families are not in a position to provide care. It is estimated that many adults do not take part in any organized social or vocational activity. Three key issues in Poland are an absence of appropriate professional training or other supports to promote inclusive education for children; disincentives for enabling adults to enter the workforce; and a relatively high level of institutionalization with corresponding gaps in community‐based services.