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5. SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION BY REHABILITATION AND THERAPIES Participation of people with disabilities in the majority society can be supported by many different actions on different levels, ranging from cultural, political, community based or individual. One possibility of supporting needs fulfillment and participation of people with disabilities in society is through different components of rehabilitation and by therapeutic approaches. The most common forms of rehabilitation are:
Medical rehabilitation: it is a set of therapeutical and medical procedures that create opportunities for improvement of person’s health. This includes physiotherapy, speech therapy, magnetotherapy, laser therapy. Physiotherapy focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the functional disorders of the motion system. Through movement and also other practices it positively affects the client. The aim of medical rehabilitation is the renewal or replacement of the impaired function. Social rehabilitation: is a process which includes a long term or even permanent training of the social skills needed. The training is designed for the special needs to achieve independence and autonomy as far as possible with regard to individual disability. It is a training of self- servicing, housekeeping, social training and communication skills, using compensatory devices, special orientation training and counseling. Pedagogical rehabilitation: is a set of specific pedagogical activities focused on development and education of children and people with special needs. It includes also the prevention and elimination of negative consequences of disability in the learning process. Vocational rehabilitation: is based on individual plans for the clients with disabilities; it enables them practice work habits and skills necessary to obtain a suitable job. It also may be a meaningful daily activity for clients with severe disabilities in the institutions of social services.
The most common forms of therapies are: Art therapy: It is a targeted and controlled activity which mainly uses artistic means of expression. The aim of this therapy is not to create a work of art but to develop creativity and spontaneous expression and non- verbal communication means. Music therapy: Music therapy is an experiental therapy in which the client communicates himself in other means than usual. In the first place the music therapy starts in the sensory level, operates mainly in the aural canal, not omitting other senses. Our sensory perceptions and reactions are bound to emotions. The aim of music therapy is to expand self- perception and perception of our surrounding as well as activate communication reserves of the client. Drama therapy: is a therapy through dramatic means - drama, role play, play with masks. This is special form of work with children in which they are trying to play a variety of situations, etudes. They have to use very much of their empathy. All of the exercises are helpful to gain confidence, to improve articulation, vocabulary and correct breathing. Hippotherapy: Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse; from the Greek word "hippos" which means horse. The therapeutic benefits of the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC. Hippotherapy uses activities on the horse that are meaningful to the client. Specific riding skills are not taught (as in therapeutic horse riding), but activities improving neurological function and sensory processing are performed. The skills learned during therapz sessions can be generalized to a wide range of everyday activities. Riding the horse provides also sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. Physically, hippotherapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and muscular function. It may also positively affect psychological, cognitive, behavioural and communication functions of people of all ages. Clients benefiting from hippotherapy may have a variety of health conditions, for example Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and Learning or Language Disabilities.
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