Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Social inclusion through employment: the marketisation of employment support for people with learning disabilities in the United Kingdom
- Author:
- HUMBER Lee Anderson
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 29(2), 2014, pp.275-289.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Employment for people with learning difficulties is considered key to their social inclusion. This contradicts the perceived un-employability of people with learning difficulties that has been part of their social identities throughout their history hitherto. The national rate of employment for people with learning difficulties remains extremely low and has barely changed in the 20 years between 1990 and 2010. This paper investigates links between learning disabilities and employment, drawing on interview-based research. It analyses the quality of experience of the minority in employment to consider whether employment can serve the inclusive purpose expected of it. (Publisher abstract)
Making it work
- Authors:
- KEYNSHAM NETWORK, LEWIS Michael, (Producers)
- Publisher:
- Your Say advocacy
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- DVD
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
This DVD tells the employment stories of 9 people with learning disabilities and their employers. It has been produced to encourage employers to think about giving people with learning disabilities a fair chance to get paid employment. The Keynsham Network, a forum for people with learning disabilities, were involved in the filming and editing of the DVD.
Made possible: stories of success by people with learning disabilities – in their own words
- Author:
- SALMAN Saba
- Publisher:
- Unbound
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 236
This book looks at the experiences of eight individuals including a campaigning councillor, a professional musician, artists, trainers, social care professionals – who are also adults with learning disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Cornwall People First: work in progress: an inclusive research report
- Authors:
- TUCKER Suzy, et al
- Publisher:
- Cornwall People First
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 91p.
- Place of publication:
- Penzance
‘Work In Progress’ was an inclusive research project (2010-12), which aimed to find the best ways for people with a learning disability to be supported into paid employment. It was funded by the Big Lottery. The research was carried out at Cornwall People First, with four paid posts for co-researchers who had a learning disability. They all had experience of using supported employment agencies (SEAs), and they were able to see things from the point of view of the people with learning disabilities whom we interviewed. That is what makes this project unique. Participants included 63 people, including clients of SEAs, family members, job coaches, managers, colleagues and employers, in four different settings. The models included a college-based course, as well as an SEA supporting people to set up their own businesses. People with learning disabilities said they wanted to work for the same reasons as everyone else, to earn money – but also to have something to do in their lives. One of the main things that put people off seeking work was the benefits system. They thought they would be worse off if they worked.
Users' views on supported employment and social inclusion: a qualitative study of 30 people in work
- Authors:
- WISTOW Richard, SCHNEIDER Justine
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31(4), December 2003, pp.166-174.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Outlines the findings from interviews exploring the perceptions of people with learning difficulties in relation to work and employment support. Examines their experiences in seeking employment, getting a job, being in work and about the support they received. The authors also make inferences from the data about the nature and extent of social inclusion associated with being in work. The research was funded by the Department of Health in response to the Valuing People policy.
Lived experience and the social model of disability: conflicted and inter-dependent ambitions for employment of people with a learning disability and their family carers
- Authors:
- GIRI Abhrajit, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 50(1), 2022, pp.98-106.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Only 5.9% of working adults with a learning disability are in paid employment and their family-carers are similarly likely to be unemployed, as they continue to take on an extended caring and advocacy role as the welfare state retreats. Despite social policy efforts to stimulate employment for people with a learning disability, there has been little or no progress. Changes in the language of welfare benefit departments seek to use the words once heralded as success for the Disability rights activists and proponents of the social model: such as Inclusion, independence and citizenship. A new definition of the social model of disability utilising Hannah Arendt needs to redefine the "private" sphere of the lived experience of people with a learning disability to allow for a better understanding of the inter-dependencies that exist between people with a learning disability, their family carers and a wider support network. Materials and Methods: Empirical data were collected in a mixed methods study while undertaking a consultation on the future of day services for people with a learning disability in a Local Authority in the north of England, UK. Results: The results reveal high levels of inter-dependence between people with a learning disability and their carers, combined with the continued financial struggle as a lived experience of caring. The study found that barriers in providing care and support restrict the rights of people with a learning disability and their carers to secure employment. Conclusions: There is a need to reconceptualise the social model of disability to more closely resonate with the lived experiences of people with a learning disability and their carers. A newly revised theoretical approach should incorporate the "private" sphere of live acknowledging the inter-dependent, co-produced relationships, between people with a learning disability and their carers to support and enable employment for both people with a learning disability and their carers under the Care Act 2014 (Department of Health, 2014). (Edited publisher abstract)
An ethnography exploring the limits of dedifferentiation in the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- BANKS C. A., GOOBERMAN-HILL R., WAINWRIGHT D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 45(4), 2020, pp.344-354.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Dedifferentiation refers to the trend of positioning people with intellectual disabilities together with other disabled individuals for political purposes, to act as a counter to differentiated approaches. This article explores the influence of dedifferentiation in professional support settings through the lived experiences of people with intellectual disabilities and their staff. Methods: Ethnographic research, including participant observation and interviews, conducted with an intellectual disability social care provider and an independent community café, both based in an area of England. Results: Tensions exist between dedifferentiation aims and the lived experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, who often struggled to achieve in areas including independent community inclusion and paid employment. Conclusion: Dedifferentiation has disadvantages for people with intellectual disabilities. It can underestimate and mask needs that people experience in relation to their disabilities. Policy and professional support might be improved by (1) recognising these limits and (2) incorporating people’s real-world needs into support provision. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perspectives of employees with intellectual disabilities on themes relevant to their job satisfaction. An explorative study using photovoice
- Authors:
- AKKERMAN Alma, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27(6), 2014, pp.542-554.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: This study explored the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities on themes relevant to their job satisfaction in integrated and sheltered employment. Method: The photovoice method was used. Nine participants with moderate to mild intellectual disabilities, working in integrated and sheltered employment, took pictures of aspects related to their job satisfaction. Each participant was subsequently interviewed about his/her pictures. Interview transcripts were content analysed to distinguish themes. Results: Nine themes were found: the nature of the work itself, working conditions, experienced job demands, social relations at work, received support, perceived autonomy, opportunities for using competencies, opportunities for growth and development and meaningfulness. All themes were applicable in integrated and sheltered employment. Conclusions: From the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities, various themes relate to their job satisfaction, either in positive or negative ways. Photovoice appeared to be a valuable approach, facilitating participants in expressing their views and providing in-depth information. (Publisher abstract)
"Go for it!": supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder in employment
- Authors:
- RIDLEY Julie, HUNTER Susan, INFUSION CO-OPERATIVE
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Executive. Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 114p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report aimed to investigate the employment support available for people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in paid and unpaid jobs in Scotland. The study aimed to map the nature and availability of employment support; to identify aspects of good practice; and to explore the direct experiences of individuals and their families. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods and involved a review of the literature published in the past 5 years; telephone interviews with 10 key stakeholders; a postal questionnaire survey of 204 employment support providers; in-depth qualitative interviews with 15 supported employees, their families and 10 employees. The report concludes that there is some way to go before the aspirations of people with learning disabilities or ASD for real paid jobs are met. Examples of good practice were identified and, while the results were life changing for the individuals involved and their families, supported employment as originally intended was not being put into practice. There is a need for a more strategic and coordinated approach to developing and funding supported employment in Scotland so that its implementation can be more widespread.
Working lives: the role of day centres in supporting people with learning disabilities into employment
- Author:
- BEYER Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 73, Summer 2004, pp.3-7.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
Summarises a research project jointly commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health, which explored how day centres are addressing employment, the relationships between day centres and employment related organisations, and the views and experiences of those who attend day centres and their carers. The research was undertaken to understand current provision and how employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities can be extended. The research used qualitative interviews with managers of day centres, organisations that help people into employment, people with learning disabilities in day centres and family and professional carers conducted in 9 local authorities across England.