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Human rights, the capability approach and Quality of Life: an integrated paradigm of support in the quest for social justice

Jessica De Maeyer (Department of Orthopedagogics, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium)
Hanne Vandenbussche (Department of Special Needs Education, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium)
Claudia Claes (Faculty of Health, Education and Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium) (Department of Special Needs Education, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium)
Didier Reynaert (Department of Social Work, University College Ghent, Ghent, Belgium)

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities

ISSN: 0964-1866

Article publication date: 11 September 2017

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper highlights the integrative character of orthopedagogics. Quality of Life (QoL), as guiding the normative framework in orthopedagogics is explicitly connected with the framework of human rights and the capability approach (CA) in the quest for social justice and human dignity. The purpose of this paper is to question that how these three specific frameworks can cross-fertilize each other and result in the development of an integrated normative foundation for supporting people living in socially vulnerable situations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reflects on the question on how the human rights framework, the CA and the framework of QoL can be integrated in the support of people who find themselves in a socially vulnerable situation.

Findings

The core features of each framework are described.

Originality/value

To conclude the paper, commonalities and the added value of integrating these three frameworks are explored. By integrating these three frameworks, they could function as a shared agenda that gives direction to the daily actions of professionals, with attention for aspects at the micro, meso and macro levels. Each framework and their interrelatedness urge for an integrative approach of orthopedagogics where the strengths of different frameworks are recognized and used in order to support people in socially vulnerable situations to achieve a life worth living.

Keywords

Citation

De Maeyer, J., Vandenbussche, H., Claes, C. and Reynaert, D. (2017), "Human rights, the capability approach and Quality of Life: an integrated paradigm of support in the quest for social justice", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp. 156-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-03-2017-0011

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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