Abstract
The purpose of this research was to examine optimal means of drawing input from community members for municipalities concerned with drafting policies for people with disabilities. The needs and issues of people of various disabilities were focused upon, and a case study of an "advanced" residents' meeting held in a particular municipality was conducted. The meeting was initiated by local government staff and the author, but residents soon took over leadership of the discussion, and active exchange of ideas between residents regarding the common needs linked to their different disabilities were achieved. This study re-examined the validity of the over-simplified dichotomy of able-bodied people versus the disabled, by looking at the diversity of needs and experiences of those with different disabilities. As a result of this meeting, the local government committed itself to removing illegally parked bicycles and motorcycles from public walkways, and publishing disaster prevention materials as part of municipal policy, allocating public funding. However, the policy making process was not the ultimate goal of the meeting, but making sense of the daily experience of people with disabilities was. The respect gained toward the diverse needs of the disabled, and sharing amongst them their particular problems proved this type of meeting to be a very important activity for other municipalities.
