The closure of the last great
institution for the intellectually
disabled in New Zealand has raised a
host of questions about the ongoing process
of deinstitutionalization. For decades,
citizens with intellectually disabled
children relied on these specialist facilities
to provide for their needs. These former 'havens',
have come to be seen as sites of neglect,
abuse, and dehumanizing rigidity.
They became dumping grounds
for a whole range of people who
fell through the gaps in social welfare.
Often isolated, the institutions were also seen as a metaphor for the way in which
society itself chose to deal with the issue.
Producer Matthew Leonard of Radio New Zealand shares the
story of the patients and families, whose lives have been affected. This program is part of our international documentary exchange series, Crossing Boundaries.
Life Outside was produced by Matthew Leonard of the Radio New Zealand Features Unit. The engineer was J. McClelland. The music you heard is called 'Walk through the World with me' it's performed by the Kimberley Centre Handchimes Group. This program originally aired as part of the international documentary exchange series, Crossing Boundaries.
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call us toll-free at 1-888-38-TAPES.
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Programs by Matthew Leonard
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