This report documents the living conditions of people in The Netherlands who have physical or intellectual disabilities. Whether such people qualify as handicapped depends on their ability to perform certain social roles. If a person with serious physical disabilities is still able to work, live independently, and take part in leisure-time activities, that person is not regarded as handicapped. Dutch government policy for the handicapped targets people with serious physical or intellectual disabilities. In The Netherlands there are between 400,000 and 600,000 people with severe physical disabilities who live independently, that is, outside of institutions. the figure is increasing every year, because population growth and the gradual ageing of the population results in larger numbers of older people, a group with a higher rate of physical disabilities. In addition, there are more than 100,000 people with intellectual disabilities, more than half of whom are severely disabled. There is also a slight annual increase in their numbers, due primarily to the increased life expectancy of people with severe mental disabilities. (Author/publisher)
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