In a similar way, the demedicalization movement seeks to involve the individual in his or her health care. The Independent Living movement agrees that, "in most cases, medical involvement is unnecessary and unproductive" (Desfossés, 1993, 8- 9). The view that the doctor is always right assumes an expertise that dismisses the requirements of the consumer. It presupposes the consumer as "sick" or debilitated. As such, the consumer is dependent on the service providers for a "cure" and becomes the cooperative patient. The IL movement rejects the behavioural stereotypes created by the roles of patient and person with a disability. The movement asserts that persons with disabilities do not want to trade their family, professional, and civic responsibilities for a return to childhood. It is this 'trade off' which prevents a person with a disability from being integrated into community life and becoming a fullyfledged person. (Desfossés, 1993, 10)

Deinstitutionalization and integration into the community work against the dependency effects of prolonged institutionalized care. According to the Independent Living philosophy, "normalization includes the dignity of risk, [and hence] the possibility of failure" (Desfossés, 1993, 10). The person with a disability is ultimately responsible for his or her life.

The IL model emphasizes environmental barriers that impair the successful integration of the person with a disability into the community. It advocates consultation, protection of rights, support from self-help peer groups, consumer action based on information, and elimination of architectural barriers and social attitudes: the concept of Independent Living (CAILC, 1995, 16-17).

Self-Advocacy, as outlined in this manual, adheres to the principles of the IL philosophy.