Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Bringing the UN Convention on rights for persons with disabilities to life in Ireland
- Author:
- QUINN Gerard
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(4), December 2009, pp.245-249.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article, through providing an account of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, describes why the Convention is important in asserting and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. Outlining its core values – dignity, individual autonomy, non-discrimination, full and active participation and inclusion, respect for difference, equality of opportunity, accessibility, gender equality, and respect for children with disabilities – the author explores the nature of rights in the Convention as applicable within Ireland, which has yet to ratify the treaty, with an account of the Convention as a blueprint for reference and research. The importance of ratification of the Convention is emphasised.
'Some people are never going to be able to do that'. Challenges for people with intellectual disability in the 21st century
- Author:
- DOWSE Leanne
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 24(5), August 2009, pp.571-584.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article surveys contemporary macro social, economic and political issues and considers how they define the context of life for people with intellectual disability in the early 21st century. It suggests that processes associated with globalisation intensify the agenda of neo-liberalism to fundamentally determine their everyday social arrangements and experiences, at least in western democracies such as the USA, the UK and Australia. Risk has now emerged as an overarching principle informing social responses to intellectual disability, while marketisation and privatisation have given rise to a complex dynamic whereby demands for individualism have become interconnected with states of dependency. Emerging technologies of citizenship have seen paradoxical notions of choice, consent, needs and interests applied to people with intellectual disability. These new forms of governance pose personal challenges at an individual level and political challenges to the collective of self-advocacy in its project for change in a globalising world.
Why people with community support needs sometimes need legal advice
- Author:
- BURTON Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Llais, 91, Spring 2009, pp.6-9.
- Publisher:
- Learning Disability Wales
The author, who runs a specialist legal aid practice in North Wales, shares some of the cases she has been involved in. She suggests that within the current economic climate more and more people with learning disabilities and their families will need to turn to the law to protect their rights.
No Longer Researching About Us Without Us: a researcher's reflection on rights and inclusive research in Ireland
- Author:
- JOHNSON Kelley
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(5), September 2009, pp.250-256.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This essay on ‘No Longer Researching About Us Without Us’, an innovative national project which aimed to develop inclusive research with people with intellectual disabilities in the Republic of Ireland, is the author’s personal reflection, as co-ordinator of the project, on work undertaken by and with people with intellectual disabilities during its 18-month life span. Using two examples from the project, focusing on a coffee shop in a small community, and bullying, this paper explores links between the inclusive research aspect of the project, and the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to participate within their communities. As a result of ‘No Longer Researching About Us Without Us’, it was found that people with intellectual disabilities began to initiate and take action on some issues that were important to them, becoming stronger self advocates, resulting in the development of longer term changes in their role within one service in Ireland.
Rights, sexuality and relationships in Ireland: 'It'd be nice to be kind of trusted'
- Authors:
- KELLY Grace, CROWLEY Helen, HAMILTON Carol
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(4), December 2009, pp.308-315.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Little formal research has been undertaken in Ireland, where it is currently illegal to have a sexual relationship with a person who cannot live without support, into what people with intellectual disabilities think about issues surrounding sexuality and what they would like to see happen in this area of their lives. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of research into the views and experiences of a 15 Irish people, aged between 23 and 41, with intellectual disabilities in the area of sexuality and relationships. Initial findings from a series of 1 hour discussion groups suggest that people with intellectual disabilities are getting insufficient sex education and that changes are needed at a disabilities service level to enable people with intellectual disabilities to express their sexuality in an open and supportive climate. At a government level, changes would need to be made to Irish legislation concerning the sexuality of vulnerable adults so that Ireland can meet its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). The authors argue that people with intellectual disabilities' views must come first in all debates concerning their sexuality.
Supporting rights through research: development of a national research strategy for intellectual disability the national federation of voluntary bodies research strategy 2008–2013
- Author:
- TIERNEY Edel
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(4), December 2009, pp.323-325.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This short paper outlines a participatory process in the development of a national research strategy developed by the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies in Ireland, which includes 62 member organisations which provide services and support to people with intellectual disabilities, the objective of which was to develop a vision for the research activities over a 6 year time frame. The principles of this vision include: research to support the development of high quality support services; to promote and disseminate research among member organisations; to encourage collaboration in research; to conduct research that drives national policy; and to consult with service users. This paper also outlines the consultation process used.
'A Right to Know'. Facilitating a relationship and sexuality programme for adults with intellectual disabilities in Donegal
- Authors:
- GARDINER Tina, BRADDON Eileen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(4), December 2009, pp.327-329.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper outlines the experiences of facilitators of a relationship and sexuality education pilot programme with adults with intellectual disabilities at 2 training centres in North West Ireland. Describing the context and development of the programme taking place in socially isolated communities, where religion still holds a large influence, this paper outlines the challenges faced, and the feedback it received. The programme, where each session lasted about 2.5 hours, addressed the problems intellectually disabled people faced when discussing sexuality, allowing them to talk to care workers even though it was a difficult and embarrassing subject. The programme also gave parents and carers training to support people with intellectual disabilities, and to inform them of the rights of those with disabilities. Feedback from both groups was positive.
Valuing People and research: outcomes of the Learning Disability Research Initiative
- Authors:
- GRANT Gordon, RAMCHARAN Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 14(2), April 2009, pp.25-34.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Prior to the launch of Valuing People (DH, 2001), Gordon Grant and Paul Ramcharan were appointed by the Department of Health as co-ordinators of the Learning Disability Research Initiative (LDRI). The LDRI was a £2m research initiative, funded through the Department of Health's Policy Research Programme, linked to the implementation of Valuing People. The LDRI was brought to a conclusion in November 2007. This paper summarises the main findings of the LDRI and includes a listing of the resultant 13 studies. Reference is made to Valuing People's main principles of rights, choice, inclusion and independence. The authors conclude by suggesting priorities for extending the evidence base.
"I want to see the Queen": experience of service use by ageing people with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, KNOX Marie
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 62(2), June 2009, pp.216-231.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
People with intellectual disability are a relatively new but growing minority group within Australia's ageing population. Disability policies point to the equal right of people with disabilities to a quality of life similar to that of other citizens. Disability services are increasingly required to provide individualised and responsive services, irrespective of age, for people with lifelong disabilities. The present study explored the everyday lives of older people with intellectual disability in Victoria and Queensland, examining their experiences of using disability services and the ways in which services responded to their ageing. The aim of the study was to inform practice and service development for older people with intellectual disability. The findings suggest that services facilitate important social relationships with other service users and staff. Most older people had a sense of belonging and led busy but directionless lives in two disconnected worlds. Their lives were subject to significant external present-focused control. Yet, despite this, neither services nor family members took responsibility for ensuring their sense of continuity or supporting the development of plans about their future. The experiences described suggest an urgent need for, but significant challenges in the implementation of, holistic individualised planning similar to the UK concept of person-centred planning.
Is there a place within academic journals for articles presented in an accessible format?
- Author:
- GARBUTT Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 24(3), May 2009, pp.357-371.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article addresses some of the difficulties inherent in disseminating emancipatory research findings in academic journals in a way that is empowering to people with learning difficulties in the UK. It calls for academics to challenge the editorial criteria of academic journals to consider accepting articles written in a more accessible style. It argues that from a social model point of view the products of the research, as well as the process, should be accessible to people with learning difficulties. It looks at what an accessible article is and why it is important, the editorial criteria of some academic journals, different models of presenting emancipatory research and suggests some innovative ways forward that highlight the need to 'get involved' in the world of people with learning difficulties and to consider accessible information as a rights-based issue.