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Guardianship and supported decision making in Israel
- Authors:
- DAVIES Rebecca Naomi, WERNER Shirli, SINAI Amanda
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 11(2), 2017, pp.54-64.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Recent research has promoted the use of supported decision making, in contrast to historical methods of substitute decision making when working with people with intellectual disabilities. In Israel, people with disabilities are protected by the Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law of 1962, which was amended in 2016. The purpose of this paper is to consider how these recent changes are perceived by the professionals in Israel. Design/methodology/approach: Professionals with experience in policy making, law, social work and with direct experience working with people with intellectual disabilities (ID) were interviewed using semi-structured interviews and one focus group. Interviews were recorded and subsequently coded and analysed qualitatively. Findings: Two major themes were identified. These were: the law and its phrasing, and changing culture. Findings highlight the process of change within guardianship law and practice and the challenges in implementation encountered so far and anticipated in the future. Originality/value: Guardianship laws are changing in many states and the challenges to implementation of supported decision-making in these countries have been echoed in this study. Functional models to allow implementation of supported decision-making have not yet been strongly evidenced. It is hoped that this research may provide a springboard for further study into legal capacity and guardianship issues in Israel and elsewhere. (Publisher abstract)
Changing attitudes to learning disability: a review of the evidence
- Authors:
- SCIOR Katrina, WERNER Shirli
- Publisher:
- Mencap
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 25
- Place of publication:
- London
Examines research into public attitudes towards people with a learning disability. The report analyses: what attitudes exist towards people with a learning disability; how negative attitudes are having a harmful effect on people’s lives; and key actions that can be taken to improve how society treats people with a learning disability. The report finds that there are many ways that have been successful in improving attitudes towards people in society that should be introduced for people with a learning disability. These include: an increase in direct contact with people with a learning disability; greater indirect contact via the positive media portrayals of learning disability; fighting for the rights of people with a learning disability to have equal participation in education, employment, social and leisure pursuits; and education at an early age in schools on learning disability. (Edited publisher abstract)