Self-determination, more humane support: a day of reflection at the Toulon law faculty

"What a struggle to assert my weight in the balance of established knowledge of non-disabled people . " These are the words of Rémi, who is physically and non-verbally disabled. He can neither speak nor write. Thanks to psychophany, a method of facilitated communication, he was able to describe his feelings as a disabled person through a poem, recited this Friday, May 23, in the amphitheater of the Faculty of Law in Toulon.

The Umane association brought together its employees and beneficiaries for a day of reflection on the themes of self-determination and ethics. Psychoeducators, sociologists, law professors, and other speakers led lectures and discussions.

"Empowering to act"

The group, based in the region, supports so-called "vulnerable" people: those with disabilities, those who are unemployed, seniors, and children in child welfare services (ASE). For six years, it has been organizing these types of events to help them develop their working practices and methods.

"Self-determination means empowering the people we support. We need to move beyond the weight of institutions to give them a voice; they need to be able to express their desires and needs," explains Thérèse Forli, president of the Umane association.

But in practice, social and medical professionals encounter difficulties in adopting this way of working with the people they support. "We all want to do it - self-determination - but we clearly see that in the field there are always fears and blockages or a lack of skills and knowledge," argues Coralie Robin, Umane's quality and innovation director. Because "supporting the expression of the person and their ability to decide for themselves also means taking risks," she concludes.