Community Re-Entry

One of the main goals of rehabilitation is to prepare the patient for life after discharge. This includes the following:

• adapting to living with a disability

• promoting independence

• planning for a safe and accessible environment

Community re-entry plans are individualized and are based on the patient's physical abilities and needs. Both the patient and family should be involved in planning re-entry into the community.

Many times, adjustments and modifications need to be made to help a person with a disability function independently. This may involve, but is not limited to, the following:

• home - installing wheelchair ramps, raised toilet seats, or handrails on stairways

• school - special computers or adaptive equipment to allow for alternative means of communication

• work - new job skills, job placement, and vocational counseling

• recreational, social, or sports activities - mobility in public places such as restaurants, churches, or stadiums

• transportation - getting in and out of a car or bus, or installing special hand controls or lifts

Rehabilitation team members and community agencies often work together to help people with disabilities succeed.