Text in Afrikaans / Die ekologiese faktore wat bydra tot die onafhanklikheid van twintig Suid-Afrikaanse kwadruplee is vanuit 'n sistemiese perspektief beskou. ('n Selfontwerpte vraelys en onderhoud is benut). Die kriteria was dat: Hulle 'n betrekking beklee; finansieel selfonderhoudend is; tuis gaan in 'n eie woonplek; 'n voertuig besit wat aan hulle mobiliteitsvereistes voldoen; en van 'n rolstoel gebruik maak. Sekere demografiese faktore staan in 'n positewe vehouding tot onafhanklikheid. F aktore rakende die indiwidu het die meeste waarde vir die instandhouding en ontwikkeling van 'n onafhanklike lewenstyl. Faktore wat verband hou met die sosiale ondersteuningstelsel is van ietwat minder belang. Alhoewel die faktore wat verband hou met die gemeenskap nie heeltemal onbelangrik is nie, het dit deurgaans die minste waarde. Faktore wat verband hou met funksionele aanpassings (versorging; mobiliteit; loopbaanaangeleenthede en finansies; en dermkanaal- en blaasbeheer) was deurgaans van besondere belang. Die belangrikheid van tersiere opleiding; die hoeveelheid hulpmiddels in gebruik; en sport, oefening en ontspanning was minder as wat verwag is. / The ecological factors contributing to the independence of twenty South African quadriplegics were investigated from an systemic perspective. (A self compiled questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used). The criteria for inclusion is: Employment; financial self-support; living in a residences of their own; having a motor vehicle that satisfy their mobility requirements; and reliance on a wheelchair. Certain demographic factors are linked, positively to independence. The factors related to the individual appeared to be the most important factor in developing and maintaining an independent lifestyle. The social support system received a slightly lower value rating. Community factors, while not entirely unimportant, received the lowest ratings throughout the study. The factors regarding functional adaptations ( care; mobility; career issues and finances; and control over bowels and bladder) were in general of great significance. The value of tertiary education; the amount of special aids in use; and sport, exercise and recreation have been less than expected. / Social Work / M.A. (Sosiale Wetenskappe (Geestesgesondheid))

Text in Afrikaans / Die ekologiese faktore wat bydra tot die onafhanklikheid van twintig Suid-Afrikaanse kwadruplee is vanuit 'n sistemiese perspektief beskou. ('n Selfontwerpte vraelys en onderhoud is benut). Die kriteria was dat: Hulle 'n betrekking beklee; finansieel selfonderhoudend is; tuis gaan in 'n eie woonplek; 'n voertuig besit wat aan hulle mobiliteitsvereistes voldoen; en van 'n rolstoel gebruik maak. Sekere demografiese faktore staan in 'n positewe vehouding tot onafhanklikheid. F aktore rakende die indiwidu het die meeste waarde vir die instandhouding en ontwikkeling van 'n onafhanklike lewenstyl. Faktore wat verband hou met die sosiale ondersteuningstelsel is van ietwat minder belang. Alhoewel die faktore wat verband hou met die gemeenskap nie heeltemal onbelangrik is nie, het dit deurgaans die minste waarde. Faktore wat verband hou met funksionele aanpassings (versorging; mobiliteit; loopbaanaangeleenthede en finansies; en dermkanaal- en blaasbeheer) was deurgaans van besondere belang. Die belangrikheid van tersiere opleiding; die hoeveelheid hulpmiddels in gebruik; en sport, oefening en ontspanning was minder as wat verwag is. / The ecological factors contributing to the independence of twenty South African quadriplegics were investigated from an systemic perspective. (A self compiled questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used). The criteria for inclusion is: Employment; financial self-support; living in a residences of their own; having a motor vehicle that satisfy their mobility requirements; and reliance on a wheelchair. Certain demographic factors are linked, positively to independence. The factors related to the individual appeared to be the most important factor in developing and maintaining an independent lifestyle. The social support system received a slightly lower value rating. Community factors, while not entirely unimportant, received the lowest ratings throughout the study. The factors regarding functional adaptations ( care; mobility; career issues and finances; and control over bowels and bladder) were in general of great significance. The value of tertiary education; the amount of special aids in use; and sport, exercise and recreation have been less than expected. / Social Work / M.A. (Sosiale Wetenskappe (Geestesgesondheid))

The thesis deals with specific emphases of special educational support provided to people with severe mental and multiple disabilities in their adult age. The aim of the thesis is to determine what the specifics of therapeutic support for adults with a severe handicap are, and how professionals adapt their specialized care to the fact that their clients are adults. To obtain the data for the purposes of the thesis, a qualitatively oriented research has been conducted, using semi-structured interviews with teachers and social service workers who have been involved with severely disabled adults for a long time. Data has been analyzed by methods of open and axial coding, which are part of the grounded theory. Other methods of data collection utilized for thesis processing include content analysis of specialized literature, content analysis of service users' documentation, and participant observation. The data obtained suggests that professional support of adults with mental and multiple disabilities must take into account both the specific level of development needs of these individuals, and their physical age. A significant component of the professional care is creating a relationship to the disabled person as an equal partner.