EMPOWERING THE DISABLED - A MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH

This article explores empowerment among the disabled as a crucial elem ent in promoting change among families and individuals who are at risk . Individuals with disabilities in Israel who provided volunteer work in organizations for the disabled were surveyed in relation to three c omponents of empowerment: (a) family, (b) services, and (c) community. Three organizational factors (patterns of activity in organization, r epresentation of the disabled and participation indecision-making) and two personal factors (self-esteem and mastery) affect at least one of the empowerment components.