This paper addresses the figure of the Personal Assistant (PA), which is essential in order for persons with a disability to begin developing an independent life. To set out a framework for a PA, the various models for conceiving disability are presented, identifying the social model as a system based on the rights of persons with a disability.
There is a widespread consensus in early care about the importance of the family and the environment in childhood development and regarding the fact that promoting optimal environmental or contextual conditions improves the quality of life, and indeed the overall development of children.
In cooperation with the Balearic Association for Corino de Andrade’s Disease (ABEA), the University of the Balearic Islands has carried out a teaching innovation project in one of its group social work subjects on the context of the 17th SDG. The main objective was to raise awareness among future social work professionals about people affected by Corino de Andrade’s disease and their families.
In education, social work has been characterized by an incomprehensible absence of a professional figure or, in some cases, by the scant involvement of such a figure. It is unquestionable to debate that the presence of social work in educational systems would not bring countless benefits to the various players involved in the educational community (students, family members, teachers, administrative and service staff, institution, community, and/or engaged public administrations).
In this article we explore the theoretical connection between studies on care and the proposals offered by the social disability model. The aim is to highlight the scientific knowledge generated by the group of people with functional diversity to incorporate it into the various approaches to care. Our ultimate goal is to forge a model of care that meets the demands of the movement for independent life in terms of functional diversity.
