When Government Services Began
[SARN Memo for April 7, 2010]
Four hundred years ago, people with disabilities relied on charity to survive. Then the Protestant reformation came along. Less money was given to charity.
This created a problem for people with disabilities. Society had a problem, too: what to do with all these people who still needed help but weren’t getting it. So England passed new laws. The laws required the state to take care of the “poor and disadvantaged.”
Respond to this memo!1. The Elizabethan Poor Laws, 1601
At that time, when charitable giving dried up, the government stepped in. The state looked for a way to manage and care for these people. In England, the Elizabethan Poor Laws were a government welfare program that provided for people with disabilities. It was a system that resembled modern times. Services for people with disabilities were administered by the government. The “clients” were housed in state facilities. Their lives were determined by professionals.
2. Group Debate: Private Charity vs. Public Laws
Talk about how the trend has been just the opposite in the US in recent years: Government money for services is being cut back. Charities are supposed to be stepping in.
Have a debate. At issue: What’s a better way to help those who need it: private charity or public laws? Form two groups. Have one group advocate for charity. Have the other group advocate for public laws. Give each group 10 minutes to plan their main points. Then have a debate. Give each person one minute to talk, alternating between groups.
Have everyone vote for which side won.
3. Resource
Self-Advocacy BINGO!
Here’s a fun way to learn disability history and key facts about self-advocacy: play Bingo. Everybody wins; big fun!
Today’s Trivia Question:
Rearrange the following four letter word to get the name of a national self-advocacy group: BASE
(The answer will be published in the next Memo.)
Answer to March 31st Trivia Question: b. September 23-26, 2010
Question was: When is the SABE National Self-Advocacy Conference this year?
- August 19-22, 2010
- September 23-26, 2010
- October 28-31, 2010
- There is no conference this year.
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