SRV

[renee stanley]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the inclusion network and have been asked to post something about SRV ( Social Role Valorisation).

I recently undertook an intensive (and very emotional) 7 day course called PASSING. It looks deeper into the concept of SRV put forth by a man named wolf wolfensberger.

SRV looks at people who are devauled or at risk of being devauled, ie, people with disabilities, mental illness, the elderly and also, those in Prison.

It focuses on positive imagery.

The major goal of SRV is to create or support socially valued roles for people in their society, because if a person holds valued social roles, that person is highly likely to receive from society those good things in life that are available to that society.

An understanding of Social Role Valorization can lead to ideas about how to improve the lives of people who are devalued by society. These can be seen to have two themes - firstly removing devaluing features (for instance people being segregated from society in a building along with others perceived to belong to the same group), and secondly taking action that leads to people being valued. On one the approaches of SRV involves Socially Valued persons to ally themselves with Socially Devalued persons. This alliance will unify people, broaden acceptance of differences, and encourage the coexistence of people.

I encourage you to google it and let me know what you think..

[Ron Irvine]

Oops, I meant "Beyond Welfare"

[Ron Irvine]

I've recently had a chat with a couple that were involved in Beyond Poverty, an initiative that creates circles of support for people in poverty and uses PATH to help galvanize the team and move forward. The comment was made by several people involved that it became hard to tell who the volunteers were and who the people in poverty were. I would think this "leveling the playing field", leaving titles at the door, and basic circle practice might be forms "allying" mentioned in SRV. I've also seen conversation in the groups in our Make a Difference initiative (based on John O'Brien's & Beth Mount's book) turn into true dialog where time is suspended and there truly are no "sides to the circle". Each person's comments were as powerful and relevant as the next. When we first started a year and a half ago with Anne Mitchell, people were afraid to speak out. But now, in no time, people are making "constructive trouble", as Anne calls it, about their group homes, in their day programs, in their schools, in their communities. It takes a valuing of self to speak out. But being grouped together in segregated settings seemed to have continued a spiral of social devaluing that Make a Difference has reversed through the connections made with those that are socially valued.

[renee stanley]

I just finished a planning workshop for my work today and there were quite a few issues raised around 'How do we make what we do relevant to the person we are working alongside with?'
We,as an organisation don't do too bad, but still there are many things we could do much better. It is interesting to note that we constnatly walk with a plank on our shoulders. I learnt this is an SRV workshop about how we think we are doing good but leave a trail of harm behind us for the people we are claiming to be allying with. One of the things that came up in today's discussion was that just being there, as a paid worker, Circle facilitator, support worker, coordinator, harms the persons image. We bring with us a stigma that we are the experts, the ones who have the power and it is something I would love to discuss and hear other peoples thoughts and feelings on this issue. Don't get me wrong. People who live with disability, nedd good paid support in their lives, it's just that I don't want to add to the bricks they are already carrying

[Marc Tumeinski]

www.srvip.org
www.socialrolevalorization.com

[Marc Tumeinski]

Hello Renee. I'm off to a meeting but wanted to send you a quick note. Thanks for letting me know about your Facebook page. I will check it out. Actually I was referring to a Facebook group that already exists (called Social Role Valorization). I encourage you to look for that one too. The more the merrier! Also you might check out a couple websites:



I look forward to good discussions. Off for now,
Marc

[renee stanley]

Thanks Marc. I'm sure you have so much knowlwdge that I would love to learn. As you mentioned , I have actually started a facebook group called SRV. Please join, I have have mentioned, I am really quite new to SRV and am welcoming everyone, especially people who have insight and knowledge in SRV. I am trying to put up websites, things I have stumbled across to add to the Facebook group. More are encouraged and of course, discussion.. :)

[Marc Tumeinski]

Just a follow up to Renee Stanley's point about SRV. I had (and continue to have every time I take it or teach it) the same reaction to a PASSING workshop.

As you point out, SRV calls for supporting vulnerable people to acquire and maintain valued social roles, as a way of helping them to have access to the 'good things of life' that most people take for granted, but that many socially devalued people cannot. The major strategies for supporting people to have valued social roles are competency enhancement and image enhancement. There are several websites dedicated to SRV, as well as books and articles, a journal, study groups, and a Facebook group. Lots of available resources if anyone is interested.

thanks
Marc

[renee stanley]

I may say somethings that you already know, so please forgive me if I do. I suggest that one of the first steps to incorporate SRV is to familiarise everyone with what the concept actually means, how it affects peoples lives and how to identify something that is totally under the realms of SRV and importantly also being able to identify services which claim to be doing the right thing when it is doing everything that SRV is not about.
PASSING is a fantastic, tough, eye opening course which explores services and looks at EVERY aspect of a service through the eyes of SRV. It totally shocked me when I did the course and made me see things from a different perspective.People have often used the term ' I took off my rose coloured glasses" when reffering to how the course affected them personally. Anyway, that is my suggestion of a good way to introduce and walk your students through " a day in the life of someone with a disability" in a way which is shocking but inspirational. Every person who works in disability should have to do this course I believe... :)

[Danielle Cheyne]

Hi! I took a lot about this in the Disability Studies Program at Ryerson and really want to incorporate it into the DSW program. I am looking for suggestions on how to do this effectively at the college level. I plan to go to Loyalist College in Bellville as I have A LOT of repect for what their DSW program is teaching and doing and I know they are incorporated SRV. I really liked yoour summary and would love to hear yours and other suggestions on my current goal.
D

[renee stanley]

I must admit, it is and will always be a struggle to encourage others to embrace SRV as a day to day concept. I can only hope that one by one, I can help make a difference in somebodys life even if it's small. Even I sometimes struggle with SRV, especially when it focuses on people living in prison.