By Evelien Westerbeek

When a disabled student is empowered, he/she can decide and act independently, in a responsible way, so that he/she get the same chances (during and after his/her studies) as all students.

 Empowerment - ‘to empower’. 

This often comes down to ‘dare’ (have the courage to take a risk)

 Empowerment is a continuous process of development in which the student with a disability develops confidence in his skills for a particular purpose to be achieved.

  And the student actually takes on responsibility for his development process.

That concerns the reflection, the awareness of what behaviour the student shows and the impact of that behaviour on another person and on himself.

 handicap + studie:

Empowerment is the process where students with disabilities can get in control of their (own) situation.

 That sounds easy…

 “to get in control”…

6 elements of empowerment:

1. Competency
2. Self-determination
3. Impact
4. Meaning
5. Positive Identity
6. Group orientation

Competency:
This means that you have confidence in your skills (competencies) to fulfil a task successfully. You know what you can or can not do, you have confidence in your own abilities and you dare to stand up for them.

Self-determination:
This means that you are able and dare to make choices about your own life, being in control over the situation.
Not the attitude of “you tell me what I should do,” what makes that the responsibility is transferred to another.

Impact:
This means that you feel that your choices actually affect the course of your process, your own situation.

Meaning:
 This means that you feel and experience that your study has meaning, that it is appropriate and consistent with your values, beliefs and practices. The choices you make are also meaningful.

Positive identity:
This means that you have a positive attitude towards yourself. You accept yourself as you are and you feel that your restrictions or limitations on opportunities do not rule your whole live, but that there is room for other things.

Group orientation:
This means that you realize that you are part of a community and that there is always some dependence on others and that cooperation with others is needed. Your behaviour contributes something and is of value for others.

5S’s:

•         Self-esteem

•         Self-image

•         Self-confidence

•         Self-initiative

•         Self-motivation/ strength

It all comes down to knowledge:

•         Knowledge of yourself

•         Knowledge of your environment, that what
happens around you

Why is empowerment important?

•         To eliminate disadvantage

•         To participate

Conclusion:  “To empower” means that you actually allow the other to take responsibility and direction in his/her development process.