Issues in the community

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Problems the Clients/Members Face

Problems Concerning Stereotypes:

The majority of the clients involved with CPARC have mental retardation. This disability has many hindering stereotypes and generalizations associated with it. Therefore, the clients and members of CPARC face many social stigmas and problems due to assumptions attached to their disabilities. They are often ignored and left alone by the rest of society. For example, many people without disabilities view people with mental retardation as 'stupid,' 'inferior,' 'dirty,' and 'childlike' to name a few. Rationally, people realize that these are generalizations, but unfortunately it is hard for people to separate their stereotypes and emotions from fact. Some of the members of CPARC are aware of how people treat them because at the group home, one member expressed concern for a character in a movie when he was being made fun of by his peers. The member said, "That isn't nice. They shouldn't pick on him." This seemed to suggest that this member has potentially experienced being made fun of or discriminated against.

Ways to Overcome these Stereotype-Based Problems:

These generalizations and stereotypes that "normate" society holds concerning people with mental retardation can be changed. However, it is a slow and frustrating process, though not impossible. Some of these stereotypes are so ingrained in society, even in pop culture. For example, in the film What's Eating Gilbert Grape our class discussed how Arnie was portrayed as very happy and sweet and slow, all stereotypes about people with mental retardation. The only way to change these cultural assumptions is to start portraying accurate images and characters in movies and books. Also, if people with disabilities were less segregated and "othered" then other members of society would have more exposure to them. This would help them realize that many of the ways they view people with mental retardation are based on cultural assumptions and generalizations that are often false. The ways to overcome these assumptions is to change the image of people with mental retardation that pop culture portrays and to expose them to other members of society instead of segregating them.

Problems Concerning Practicality:

The members of CPARC often have difficulty performing the tasks that the "normate" society takes for granted. The increased emphasis on technology in daily life makes it easier for most of society, but sometimes more difficult for CPARC members. For example, one member in the group home owns play station, but seems to have difficulties utilizing the electronic device. While members are capable of doing many things themselves such as balancing their own checkbooks, planning their own meals, caring for gardens, and sometimes living independently, they still face other problems. For example, the lack of transportation in Carlisle creates a problem for these members since many members require transportation in order to attend work, go shopping, go to laundromats, or attend doctor's appointments. The CPARC volunteer or employee on hand tries to be accommodating and transport clients to where they need to go, but resources are limited.

Ways to Overcome these Practical Problems:

In terms of the problems the members of CPARC face with technology, these can be easily remedied by having the employees and volunteers teach the members the proper way to use these electronics. If, by chance, they are unable to learn, then perhaps they should not be exposed to technological devices they cannot utilize. This will prevent them from possible feelings of inferiority or low self esteem. The transportation problem can be solved by more funding for CPARC so that more employees can be hired and therefore more vehicles can be utilized.

Problems the Agency Faces

Because CPARC is a non-profit organization, it requires governmental and private funding in order to accomplish its goals and help its clients. However, this can present itself as a problem if the current administration does not feel that CPARC is a worthy and deserving group of public funding. Without help from the government, the amount of facilities, resources, employees, and volunteers that make the organization efficient and successful will begin to diminish. Also, private donations of money and time add to the amount of impact the volunteers will be able to provide in making the lives of the clients of CPARC easier and more comfortable. There is currently a very long waiting list of people with mental disabilities who would like to become members, but CPARC simply does not have the facilities or funds to accommodate everyone.

Another issue that CPARC needs to overcome is the possibility that not enough Americans are aware of their mission and how they help those with disabilities. Because this association helps people with disabilities and because of cultural assumptions, some donators might ignore a valuable cause such as CPARC. People will try to help other non-profit organizations that have a more socially acceptable image that in the end will benefit the individual's reputation in society. As an organization, CPARC needs to focus on finding sufficient funding for its facilities, resources, and volunteers. CPARC also needs to raise awareness among the general population about its image and the benefits it provides.

Ways to Overcome These Problems:

There are many ways in which CPARC is able to overcome these immediate problems. It is able to hold public benefits and other fund-raising activities that will include the community. By doing this, CPARC is also raising awareness within the larger community of it's mission and the people for whom they provide. By having interactions between individuals in the community and clients of CPARC, this gives a face to the association and makes the clients seem more human. In turn, this will make an individual more willing to donate either time or money to CPARC by having a connection to the organization. Since they already have a website, people are able to become aware of the mission and goals of CPARC. If they are able to relate and agree with their cause, they will be willing to inform their family and friends of the organization, thereby spreading the constant need of resources that CPARC faces. In order to continue to provide for people with disabilities, CPARC needs to broaden its reach of influence throughout the local and national community and to raise awareness of the indispensable assistance they provide.