Independence, Dependence, and Intellectual Disability: From Cultural Origins to Useful Application

American government educational policy and leading advocacy groups commonly espouse independence as a primary goal for young people with intellectual disabilities. An extensive philosophical literature of autonomy has focused mostly on analyses cognition that achieve individual self-governance. But the loosely defined concept used by disability policymakers advocates provides more malleable, social understanding involves someone actively relying assistance others. The purpose this paper is to examine cultural, historical origins notion disabled persons through an exploration biography Ed Roberts, father independent living movement, cultural context Berkeley, California, in 1960s 1970s, where movement began. applies those concepts life situations disabilities, asking how well serves useful group.