Empowerment is an ongoing process in which people lacking an equal share of valued resources gain greater access and control over these resources. To test empowerment-encouraging strategies, research was done with advocacy groups at four local centers for independent living. The centers were in Utah, Louisiana, Washington, and West Virginia.

Information about individuals in a group at these centers was collected for two years at three of the centers and up to 45 months in another.

Copies of group minutes helped identify what disability-related issues the individual discussed, and through interviews the group members and center staff identified actions taken to address the selected issues and outcomes. Empowerment training, research showed, increased the discussion of new disability-related issues, actions taken, and outcomes.

Legislative outcomes required the greatest amount of actions across all groups because creating and passing legislation is a complicated, difficult process.

In Washington, group members organized a banquet to recognize local leaders' support of disability issues. In West Virginia, the group sent certificates of appreciation to recognize local leaders. Because the banquet generated more publicity, it may have greater long-term impact.

Group chair persons appeared to influence empowerment. This could be because this person delegates and assigns responsibility to members and makes sure activities are carried out as planned.

Changing the environment and educating local communities about disability represented 65% of all reported outcomes across the four groups. The author thought this reflected the independent living priority of making cities and communities more accessible and responsive to the needs of individuals with disabilities.

This research was supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the U.S. Department of Education.

EndNotes

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Balcazar, F.E., Mathews, R.M., Francisco, V.T., Fawcett, S.B., & Seekins, T. (1994). The empowerment process in four advocacy organizations of people with disabilities. Rehabilitation Psychology 39(3), 189-203.