De-Institutionalizing the Mentally Disabled: The Canadian Solution

Abstract

This article reviews the book "A Textured Life: Empowerment and Adults with Developmental Disabilities", by Alison Pedlar, Larry Haworth, Peggy Hutchison, Andrew Taylor, and Peter Dunn. "A Textured Life" is a comprehensive look at life for Canada's developmentally disabled citizens. The authors systematically walk the reader through a developmentally disabled Canadian citizen's home life, work environment, family relationships, personal relationships, and leisure activities. Throughout the well-researched and well-documented analysis, the authors have interspersed the narrative of their subjects, as well as comments from personal care workers and family members. Overall, the authors have provided a very comprehensive glimpse into Canada's treatment of developmentally disabled citizens. The text is very thorough and helpful in providing a glimpse into the daily lives of developmentally disabled citizens in Canada. Works like "A Textured Life" provide guidance to other nations and care providers in analyzing the programs that are in place to support developmentally disabled citizens.