More on Farms & Intentional Communities

by Kristina Chew · 2009-06-15 14:09:00 UTC
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Farm buildings from http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jBNDd8VC61Y/SBI8Amsu9rI/AAAAAAAAARQ/2iiAlZ_3a14/s400/magdala.jpg
A couple of weeks ago I posted about one parent's hopes to create an "intentional farming community" where her autistic son might live some day. An enlightening exchange followed about such intentional communities: While they sound like a good idea, might such communities simply be another way to segregate individuals with disabilities? Are individuals with disabilities truly given the chance to communicate whether or not they actually want, and "intend," to live there?

Yesterday's Journal-News (Ohio) describes efforts to create a "sprawling farm with gardens, horseback riding and an activity center" as "a unique home for adults with autism .... in Madison Twp." Safe Haven Farm is house up to 24 adults in 6 new houses, with one staff person for every two adults.

But how much will the farm be part of the community? It's noted that:

To assuage neighbors’ concerns, planners say most of the land will be either a farm or woodland, with tree buffers shielding the view of houses from other properties.

Sounds like someone(s) would prefer not to know about Safe Haven Farm, and its residents, or at least to keep these safely hidden away?

Kristina Chew
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