2019 Volume 60 Issue 1 Pages 33-46
This paper discusses families who accepted the closure and transformation of the institution for persons with intellectual disabilities based on the transition to group homes by the institution. It does so by using the qualitative research focused on independence norm. Before the transition families understood it as being independent in the daily living and work. The part of reasons is related to the explanation by staff regarding the Act for Supporting the Independence of Persons with Disabilities. The families had concerns about the difficulties of independence and the possibility of their children returning home. Nevertheless, families are found to be passive towards the decisions made by the institution because they have trust and reservations towards staff. Their attitudes are influenced by the idea that families are responsible for the care of their children based on independence norm. After the transition families recognized group homes as the residential settings requiring independence in the daily living and work. They are also concerned about the unpredictability of the future as it might be difficult for their children to be independent and they accept or agree with institutionalization. These results indicate that the deinstitutionalization policy by relativization of independence norm and family support is essential.
