Yet, their aspirations do not differ substantially from those of neighbors, friends or other community members. Like everyone else, they rely on their community as a point of contact for identity, support and a sense of purpose. Like everyone else, they have an essential and unique relationship with their community. The most basic and determining needs are met only through this relationship. Because of management through crisis, and legal and bureaucratic filters, programs would appear to be developed in isolation.
Disabled individuals feel powerless in the shadow of overwhelming authorities.
S ome say that they are frozen out of the decision-making process, and this inevitably contributes to mistrust, apprehension and skepticism. I n addressing the concerns of disabled Natives in Canada, more questions emerge than answers. T his unique meeting in Cornwall mayhave been the first step by disabled native persons in an effort to advance their cause for equality - equality of opportunity to participate, to risk, to fail and to grow as contributing members of their own communities.