Tiha moč neformalnih pravil in podpore v institucijah za ljudi z ovirami v Sloveniji

slovenian

2025

volume 64, issue 3

discrimination   empowerment   handicap   social inclusion   user's experiences

Univerza v Ljubljani, Fakulteta za socialno delo

The paper analyzes the role of formal and informal rules and practices within institutions serving people with disabilities, focusing on their impact on users’ autonomy, inclusion, and personal development. The study examines both supportive practices and those that restrict individual agency, revealing how institutional structures shape lived experiences. Based on a qualitative analysis of ten in-depth interviews and the author’s autoethnographic reflections, the research highlights the complexity of interactions between formal and informal institutional mechanisms. It emphasizes the quiet power of informal supportive practices, which often function as compensatory mechanisms for the rigidity of formal rules. These practices foster flexibility, cooperation, and individuality, enhancing user experience and promoting autonomy. Building on these findings, the Model of Institutional Influence on User Development and Independence offers an analytical framework for understanding such processes. The results provide valuable insights for social workers and psychosocial counselors in developing more adaptable, inclusive practices that bridge formal institutional gaps.

23.01.2026