Abstract

This paper presented how a small group of limb-disabled students enhanced their social inclusion through participation in the Art for the Disabled Scheme, a long-term project aiming to help disabled young people through the integration of extracurricular art instruction and charity. This research was conducted using qualitative case study method. Data was collected through direct observations of and in-depth interviews with eleven aid-receiving students and three staff members. The findings revealed the multiple benefits the disabled students reaped regarding their social inclusion enhancement: financial and material support; mental well-being improvement; promotion for personal development; positive self and group identity building; and social development. The findings also demonstrated that the successful combination of charity and art through a sustainable, efficient and cross-disciplinary mechanism effectively enhanced disabled young people’s full participation in society, and explored the unique roles played by the artists. This research provides new insight into the integration of art and social work.