POWER TOOLS
Written by Dave Hingsburger

Power Tools was written for direct care providers. This book addresses the delicate issue of power within human services. Those of us who say we serve, have tremendous power over those within our care. Power is one of the most important issues that front line care providers need to consider. And we need to consider it every day in almost every interaction we have with someone who has a disability. Without meaning and without malice we can end up doing things that hurt the dignity and self esteem of those in our care. Awareness of our power reduces the likelihood that we will misuse it.

Beginning by addressing the 'Myth-Taken Assumptions' that we all have about our own power, Power Tools gets you thinking about who we are and the power we have. The process of change, suggested in Power Tools involves three steps. Step one is simply recognizing that the only thing that's important is that people with disabilities discover their own way in the world. Step two is ensuring that the person with the cognitive disability has the "extra five minutes", the time he/she needs to think and process the information, questions, etc. they are presented with. The third step challenges you to take every opportunity to look at yourself and honestly evaluate how you are affecting other people. Challenge yourself to stay open to the fact that, that even with the best intentions, you make mistakes . . . Hold yourself accountable for what you've done and work to change. Each of the steps is illustrated by a "Power Play"

Finally, there are two skills that you need to use in order to maintain your awareness of power and the role that it plays in your work. The skills focus on being able to recognize that the actions of the individual may be a reaction to oppression, and helping persons with disabilities to learn to respectfully, but firmly, disagree with you. Listen to their arguments and give the "extra five minutes needed" to formulate their point of view.

Power is tough issue. However, Power Tools is written with humour, wit and warmth. Dave Hingsburger does not lay blame, but he suggests that we all have responsibility - for what we do - for what we say - and for who we are when we are serving people who are in our care.

A copy of Power Tools should be given to every newly hired direct care provider, incorporated in to the orientation and/or reviewed annually with all employees, to increase awareness and sensitivity as to how our actions, methods, systems . . may take power away from the people we serve.

Available from:

Diverse City Press Inc. P.O. Box 738 Magog, Quebec J1X 5C6 Telephone/Fax: (877) 246-5226 Web site: www.diverse-city.com

Description of Resource: 36 page, soft cover

Approximate Cost: $5.00 each; $2.50 per copy for bulk orders of 10 or more (Canadian)