[Historical development of the self-help associations of physically disabled people]

By a number of varying actions disabled people have attempted during the International Year of Disabled Persons to draw the general public's attention to the marginality of their position. The sometimes offensive course of action adopted by some gave rise to a variety of responses. What has at any rate been re-affirmed is the demand of disabled people to take their problems in their own hands. A look back into the history of self-help associations however shows that equal hardships will not of necessity bring about solidarity. It will, therefore, be crucial to foster the ability for integrative solidarity both among the groups of disabled people and on the part of the non-disabled public.