APPROACH

The Interdependence Network is not for everyone.  Our approach is to focus on changing the community rather than changing or "fixing" people with disabilities.  This shift from a "micro" to "macro" approach is critical to achieving the outcomes most important to the individuals we support.

To actualize macro change, theory teaches us to examine both the formal aspects that affect attitudes and perceptions toward disabilities as well as informal relationships that do the same thing.

Formal macro aspects revolve around changing rules, laws, and policies that affect people with disabilities and their families.  For example, most advocates for people with intellectual disabilities are interested in seeing the R-word identified as a hate word and, in essence, banned from our lexicon.  This requires formal change efforts in passing laws and policies.

Informal macro change takes a different route.  Its aim is to promote and form relationships in an effort to accomplish the same goal.  That is, we believe that even with the passage of legislation, many people will continue to use the R-word.  It is only through the formation of positive relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities that society will accept the R-word as inappropriate and obsolete.  This interest in, and use of, social capital is what energizes the Interdependence Network.

If this relationship-building approach to culture change interests you or your organization, then the Interdependence Network is the right fit for you.