This paper deals with the social issued of invalids. In the introductory part, the author refers to the definition, the causes and the proportion of invalids in the entire population. He then gives a critical historical review of the relationship of society towards such persons, particularly emphasising the metamorphosis of attitudes towards them (intolerant, predominantly intolerant, tolerant, demonising, optimistic, realistic and futuristic approaches). In that context, the foundation and operation of an isolated, a so-called segregational, system is described, which has not corresponded with an open, i.e. general, system of education and socialisation. By criticising that system, the author emphasises the advantages of integration and advocates education, work and participation of invalids in an open social environment. The creation and evaluation of social integration and its success at international and national levels have resulted in some relevant knowledge which has served as guidelines for a strategic policy development and an integration programme for the period up to 2010. The key factor of the strategy is the support of social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights of all people and thus also of the rights of invalids. In order to illustrate the approach of the realisation of human rights in the area of upbringing and education, “the model of inclusive integration” is presented, based on a syntagma “A Society for All – Education for All – Schools for All”, supported by the UNESCO Conference held in Salamanca, Spain in 1994. Finally, possible directions for activities in the Republic of Croatia are given which may be aimed at social policy and social welfare directed towards creating a society of pluralistic democracy and human rights and a society of all its members, in which social justice will reign ant there will be social benefits for all.

Ovaj rad se bavi socijalnom problematikom invalida. U uvodnom dijelu autor se osvrće na definiciju, uzroke i udio invalida u općoj populaciji. Zatim daje kritički povijesni prikaz odnosa društva prema takvim osobama, posebno naglašavajući metamorfozu stavova prema njima. U tom kontekstu se prikazuje utemeljenje i djelovanje izdvojenog tj. segregacijskog sustava koji nije korespondirao s otvorenim tj. općim sustavom edukacije i socijalizacije. Kritikom tog sustava naznačavaju se prednosti integracije i zagovara školovanje, rad i život invalida u otvorenoj socijalnoj sredini. Kreiranjem i vrednovanjem uspješnosti socijalne integracije na internacionalnoj i nacionalnim razinama došlo se do relevantnih spoznaja koje su poslužile kao smjernice za izradu strategije politike i programa integracije za razdoblje do 2010. godine. Ključni činitelj te strategije je zalaganje za socijalna, ekonomska, kulturna, civilna i politička prava svih, pa i invalida. Na kraju su naznačeni mogući pravci aktivnosti u Republici Hrvatskoj koji bi mogli biti u funkciji kreiranja socijalne politike i socijalne skrbi usmjerene u pravcu ostvarivanja društva pluralne demokracije, društva ljudskih prava, društva svih njegovih članova, društva socijalne pravde i društva socijalnih pogodnosti.