Social work intervention for people with disabilities- ආබාධිත පුද්ගලයින් සඳහා සමාජ වැඩ මැදිහත්කරණය

Disability is an issue that has garnered attention both nationally and internationally. According to the preamble of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, disability is defined as "an evolving concept, and it results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others." Disability can either be congenital or develop over a person’s lifetime. Individuals may become disabled due to various environmental and physical influences encountered throughout their lives. The research problem explored in this study is: What social work interventions are required for persons with disabilities? Accordingly, the study investigates the concept of disability, the causes leading to disability, the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, and the timely social work interventions necessary for their well-being. The geographical focus of this study is the Colombo District. A sample of fifteen institutionalized persons with disabilities was selected, and narrative analysis methods were used for data analysis. The primary conclusion of this study is that existing societal attitudes towards persons with disabilities in the Sri Lankan context do not foster positive motivation. A significant reason for this is that these attitudes often emerge and persist from within the disabled community itself. However, the study reveals that with proper positive reinforcement, there is potential to empower this group within society. Furthermore, the study highlights that overcoming the challenges faced by persons with disabilities requires the intervention of a skilled individual—specifically, a professional with a background in social work. The recommendation of the study is that only professional social workers can provide this kind of structured and effective intervention.