Significance of the "community" in employment and life support for people with mental disabilities

Abstract

 In this study, the significance of the "community" is investigated, focusing on the practice of employment and life support for people with mental disabilities. Users understand the venues of support practices as "one's place" in the "community", but such places are only a temporary "shelter" out of the "community". Here, the "community" is assumed to be an "able-bodied" society and space. The social division between the "disabled" and "able-bodied" is reinforced and reproduced through dualistic constitution of the society and space. It is suggested that seeking the ideal method of carrying out supports based on the substantial community is necessary.