A couple comes to see a social worker because they feel that they have suffered discrimination. They are blind and would like to adopt a child, but have been told by an adoption agency that it is not possible because of their visual impairments. They are distraught, but do not think that they will be able to fight the agency bias. In order to BEST assist this couple, the social worker should:

Social workers are charged with helping clients who have experienced discrimination by making policy and/or system changes. The social worker should not be seeking alternative methods to assist the couple to become parents because they have the right to adopt and desire to do so. Although they may need support, developing coping skills or connecting them with others will not BEST assist the couple because these actions do not help them ultimately realize parenthood through adoption.