[Environments and handicaps].

Abstract

Chronic deficiencies have been known ever since man left traces of his own existence but have increased since the 19th century. The number of people with chronic deficiencies in France is close to five millions, of which 1,2 million are very severe. This figure does not include occasional deficiencies due to age or "normal" transitory situations of life. These deficiencies engender disabilities which themselves create a handicap. Particular attention to environmental conditions is required to cope with such situation and try and equalize opportunities and reduce exclusion. This is a part of the scope of medicine if the aim is, as Pr. B. Glorion reminded us recently "to treat and cure but also maintain the patients physical and moral equilibrium". Reeducation is concerned with the person, rehabilitation with the adaptation of the individual and collective environment. It is in intervening in this area, that it becomes possible to reduce otherwise overwhelming inequalities. "What constitutes real democracy is not to recognise equals but to make them equal" (Gambetta). While it remains necessary to answer to the requirements of individual situations, it is on the wider and collective front that solutions must be found in order to deal with the greater situational difficulties of collective life. To be efficient, the principles of action must leave behind conventional classifications and attempt to solve the functional difficulties: daily life activities, transportation, work, education, access to social life. Given pressure from individuals, often grouped in associations, and from medical practitioners sensitive to these problems, laws have been passed and local authorities have adapted infrastructures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)