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An initial evaluation of a long-term, sustainable, integrated community-based physical activity program for adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- LANTE Kerrie A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 36(3), September 2011, pp.197-206.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The Creating a Sporting Change (CASC) programme is a joint project between RMIT university and the Bundoora Netball and Sports Centre which aims to provide people with an intellectual disability with the opportunity to participate in a physical exercise programme in a community-based setting. The aim of this paper is to explore the physical and psychosocial benefits gained by 2 individuals with mild ID who participated in this programme over a period of 2 years. The participants attended the CASC programme once a week, during which time they wore an accelerometer to collect data on their physical activity. In addition, on 2 separate occasions the participants wore an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. To explore the psychosocial outcomes gained from participating in CASC, the participants and their caregivers were interviewed about their participation experiences. The findings showed that, across time, there was a decrease in the amount of light activity engaged in during sessions, with participants gradually increasing their moderate to vigorous activity. Psychosocial benefits, including meeting new people and gaining social acknowledgement were reported by the participants and their caregivers.
Express yourself
- Author:
- ANDREWS Crispin
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, January 2011, pp.20-21.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Dance classes can help people with learning disabilities to express themselves. The article looks at the work of two contemporary dance groups, Magpie Dance and Candoco. It highlights the benefits the groups can bring and the threat government spending cuts pose to their future.
Encounter as a dimension of social inclusion for people with intellectual disability: beyond and between community presence and participation
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, WIESEL Ilan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 36(4), December 2011, pp.263-267.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In this article, the authors argue that people with intellectual disability are among the most disadvantaged and socially excluded in Australian society and that although they have become more present in society, most are not yet part of communities and there has been limited progress on social inclusion. The article discusses the concept of encounter, an innovative concept from urban studies used to describe and plan for interactions between strangers in cities. It notes that exchanges between neighbours, consumers, shopkeepers and strangers are examples of a range of encounters central to life in the city, and that convivial encounters, where strangers engage in a shared activity with a common purpose or intent, may be a potential tool to promote social inclusion for people with intellectual disability. It suggests that local governments and community organisations should think creatively about design and use of local space and facilities such as libraries or community centres that would facilitate encounters, and argues that understanding how people with intellectual disability experience encounters may assist evaluation of their social inclusion or exclusion.
Developments in deinstitutionalization and community living in the Czech Republic
- Authors:
- ŠIŠKA Jan, BEADLE-BROWN Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(2), June 2011, pp.125-133.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article considers the progress towards the development of community-based services and full social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic. It summarises progress over the past 2 decades in the Czech Republic in moving from an institutional era toward one that values community-based alternatives. Particular attention is paid to issues such as choice and control, individual funding as a means towards social inclusion, and the matter of human rights. While European and national policy is supportive of community living, and new individualised funding streams have been created, progress in the Czech Republic toward the goal of community living for everyone with a disability has been slow and has met with many barriers. The article highlights the need to consider issues such as the availability of data related to funding and delivery of services, planning of the transitional period toward community-based services, accessibility of reports on quality of services (including institutions), and the conflict of interests created by the system of guardianship. It concludes that, despite economic circumstances that may slow down the process of deinstitutionalisation, the direction of change toward community living needs to be sustained.
Acting up
- Author:
- TAYLOR Ellen
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, May 2011, pp.36-37.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
A learning disability theatre group is challenging perceptions and prejudice by tackling issues such as bullying, addiction, abuse and social inclusion in its work. This article looks at the work of Baked Bean Theatre Company, and how involvement in the group also provides therapeutic benefits to its members.
A flexible response: person-centred support and social inclusion for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour
- Authors:
- CARNABY Steven, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(1), March 2011, pp.39-45.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper outlines an innovative, interagency model of provision that addresses concerns around people whose behaviour causes concern, and adheres to the principles of Valuing People Now (2009) as a way of keeping social inclusion as the key objective when developing person-centred support. The Flexible Response Service (FRS) support model evolved in recognition of the importance of social inclusion particularly for people who behaviour presented challenges, whist also acknowledging the evidence on the importance of staff practice and the implementation of policy principles. The paper highlights the philosophy, development and evaluation of this person-centred day opportunity and supported lifestyle service which is successfully placing service users at the heart of their local community. The authors suggest that its innovation lies in embedding clinical input directly in the support model, creating interdependent partnership working across agencies. It allows the development of frontline staff into highly skilled practitioners.
Everyday practices of exclusion/inclusion: women who have an intellectual disability speaking for themselves?
- Authors:
- WELSBY Janette, HORSFALL Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 26(7), 2011, pp.795-807.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article describes a small in-depth qualitative study which sought to understand the lives of women who have an intellectual disability. The participants were 5 women, aged between 28 and 52, who lived in the suburbs of Sydney, were receiving a Disability Support Pension and worked part-time in either the Business Services Sector or open employment. An arts-based research process, augmented by one-to-one in-depth interviews, was used. This enabled the women to speak how, and about what, they chose. The women chose to focus on the themes of work, friendship, identity and everyday life. Thematic analysis of the data showed that the women experienced practices of social and emotional exclusion, and inclusion, in their everyday lives. When they were excluded they were often aware of what was going on and had developed strategies, such as humour and using advocacy services, to deal with exclusionary practices. Further research which elicits such resistant practices and working with women to strengthen them could be useful for people interested in notions of inclusion.
Community integration project: one year on ...
- Author:
- WILLOWBANK COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE
- Publisher:
- Willowbank Community Resource Centre
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 20p.
- Place of publication:
- Dungannon
In March 2010, Willowbank Community Resource Centre were successful in receiving £228,580 from BIG Lottery Reaching Communities Programme to deliver a 5 year Community Integration programme designed for and by people with disabilities. The BIG funding has benefited local people in many ways through a variety of personal development and learning opportunities which have improving people’s skills, abilities and confidence. These opportunities have included learning computing skills, training in local democracy, and a group trip to the theatre. The participants have produced this ‘one year on’ booklet which showcases some of the work the BIG funding has supported. The booklet also records at a personal level the impact that BIG funding has had locally for participants and how much it has meant to them.
Definitions matter in understanding social inclusion
- Authors:
- MARTIN Lynn, COBIGO Virginie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 8(4), December 2011, pp.276-282.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Social inclusion is an explicit goal for persons with intellectual disabilities in many countries. However, evidence outlining social inclusion is still limited, and reliant on how social inclusion is measured. This study evaluated the concept and indicators of social inclusion, for 1,341 adults with intellectual disabilities residing in institutional and community-based settings in Ontario, Canada. Objective and subjective items related to five domains of social inclusion: relationships; leisure; productive activities; accommodations; and informal support. The results highlighted the heterogeneity within domains, and by the nature of the indicator. Overall, percentages varied between 3% and 96% depending on the indicator. Good levels of internal consistency were reported for three of the five domains. The authors concluded that the results of this study demonstrated that without an understanding of what social inclusion means for both general and vulnerable populations, it is not clear what is being measured, or how it should be measured. A better definition of inclusion and is needed for decision-makers to define the nature of their responsibilities and assess their effectiveness in achieving inclusion. Implications for future research are discussed.
If the support's right, she's right: an evaluation of Partners for Inclusion
- Author:
- MACINTYRE Gillian
- Publisher:
- Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 58p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Partners for Inclusion is a voluntary organisation that provides support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems. It has adopted a person-centred approach to supporting people with ‘high’ or ‘complex’ support needs in order to provide services based on individual needs, wants and desires. This report presents the findings of an evaluation aiming to measure the progress made in the 4 years since the service was last evaluated. Specifically, it aimed to address: whether people are living the life they choose; whether people are living in the place that makes sense for them now; in what ways people’s lives have changed since receiving a service from Partners for Inclusion; and the experiences of staff who work for Partners for Inclusion. The research included a total of 50 interviews with individuals who receive services, support staff, family members, friends, and other professionals. The findings show that, for some people, lives have changed in significant ways since receiving support from Partners for Inclusion. However, further work is needed in areas of social inclusion, such as participating in education and employment. In common with other person-centred organisations, the staff often experience lone working with a resultant reduction in collegial support. A number of recommendations are provided in the areas of: personalisation; creating opportunities; and organisational capacity.