Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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'It's against our law, never mind anyone else's': the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and adults with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- STALKER Kirsten, LERPINIERE Jennifer
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 24(7), December 2009, pp.829-843.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper presents the findings of a 15 month study examining Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (the provision of goods, services and facilities) in relation to adults with learning disabilities. Interviews were conducted with service providers and disability organisations, while focus groups co-facilitated by self-advocates, were carried out with adults with learning disabilities and family carers of people with profound multiple impairments. The five focus groups each had between three and seven participants. Cases which had gone to court or mediation were also examined along with two legal case studies. The paper presents the collated views of people with learning disabilities in Scotland about the Act and about using services. Awareness of their rights was generally low, although activists were better informed. While usually offered reasonable service in shops, pubs and other facilities, the level of reported incidents of unfair treatment was significant. This could take three forms: being treated with a lack of courtesy and respect, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and outright refusal to serve. Participants expressed a strong sense of injustice when treated in these ways but the majority was unlikely to complain, although a few had challenged unfair treatment. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy and practice.
Going with the flow: choice, dementia and people with learning difficulties
- Author:
- STALKER Kirsten
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 48p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Report examining some of the issues facing older people with learning difficulties and dementia. Focuses on hearing the voices of users, and exploring the extent and nature of opportunities people have to make choices about their lives.
Care and treatment?: supporting children with complex needs in healthcare settings
- Authors:
- STALKER Kirsten, et al
- Publisher:
- Pavilion,|Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 91p.
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Significant numbers of children and young people with complex physical, medical and cognitive health needs may be spending unnecessarily long periods of time in hospital and other healthcare settings because inadequacy of community-based resources is preventing their discharge. This report details the findings of research conducted in England and Scotland to identify how many children with complex support needs are spending longer than one month in healthcare settings in Scotland and England, how and why they are in hospital, why they have not been discharged home or to appropriate alternative community-based facilities, and how well the hospital or healthcare setting is meeting their emotional, social and educational needs. It finds that many of these children could and should be discharged but are not, for a variety of reasons: primarily the lack of appropriate resources in the community and poor discharge planning processes, coupled with the inability of their families to manage their care and supervision without intensive support. Hospitals and healthcare settings in many cases are not meeting their needs and these children are being denied the protection offered by UK legislation governing children’s rights and welfare. The researchers conclude that much more should be done by health authorities and health boards, by NHS trusts, hospitals and community services, and by social services and education departments to ensure these children receive the same standards of care, treatment and protection accorded to other children, and that inappropriate admissions and such lengthy stays should be avoided at all costs.
If you don't ask you don't get: review of services for people with learning disabilities: the views of people who use services and their carers
- Authors:
- STALKER Kirsten, et al
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Executive Central Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 91p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
The purpose of this three month study was to explore the views of people with learning disabilities who use services and their carpers. The overall picture that emerged was one of social isolation with many people in rural and urban settings and having few friends outside family and system. Everyone made use of community services, but this was often part of a group or with a staff member.