Information and communication technologies in social work and adaptation of people with disabilities: On the materials of foreign studies

Abstract

The article argues that the content, forms and mechanisms of social work provision at all historical stages of society development are conditioned by chronological events and technologies used in this or that period. The modern stage of social assistance development is characterized by the use of information technologies. The authors present an analysis of foreign practice on the organization of social work and adaptation of people with disabilities with the use of information technologies. Among the approaches considered is the approach of preserving human participation. At the same time, the priority of social service as opposed to technocratic, the approach of “technology in practice”, the approach of proactive position of social workers, the concept of “mixed social work”, etc. are preserved. As the review has shown, the effectiveness of social work should be based on the priority of taking into account the interests of key stakeholders of the activity — social workers and clients of social and socio-medical assistance.