Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Inclusion or outcomes? Tensions in the involvement of people with learning disabilities in strategic planning
- Authors:
- FYSON Rachel, FOX Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 29(2), 2014, pp.239-254.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Social inclusion is a key principle that underpins the provision of services for people with learning disabilities in England. Learning Disability Partnership Boards, which are responsible for local strategic planning of learning disability services, hold a particular role in promoting inclusion since they are required both to operate inclusively and to achieve inclusive outcomes. This study sought to explore the extent to which these ambitions for inclusion were being achieved. It consisted of three phases: a scoping exercise to elicit the views of key stakeholders; a postal survey of Partnership Boards (response rate 51%); and semi-structured interviews with Partnership Boards members in six local authorities. Findings suggest that Partnership Boards are struggling to fulfil their dual role, with tensions emerging between the desire to operate in fully inclusive ways and the ability to affect strategic change within local services. (Publisher abstract)
What does Big Society mean for people with learning disabilities?
- Authors:
- RUNSWICK-COLE Katherine, GOODLEY Dan
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 13(4), July/August 2013, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
A new research project project aims to assess what Big Society means for people with a learning disabilities, the challenges and opportunities they may face and how they fit into it. The research is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and will be carried out over the next two years. Four universities will be involved in the project: University of Sheffield, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), the University of Bristol and Northumbria University. This article describes the main aims of the project and the main phases of the research. (Original abstract)
The Stage Life: promoting the inclusion of young people through participatory arts
- Authors:
- STICKLEY Theodore, CROSBIE Brian, HUI Ada
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 40(4), December 2012, pp.251-258.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article discusses the “Stage Life” participatory arts programme for people attending a day services provision in Nottinghamshire. It was provided in a local disused cinema acquired by the local authority for community-based activities amongst disadvantaged groups. The Stage Life aimed to build the community arts capacity for young adults with learning disabilities by introducing approximately fifty people to participatory arts activities over a period of 2 years. A multimethod ethnographic approach was used to phenomenologically capture the impact of the Stage Life upon individuals’ lives, as well as capture people’s opinions and ideas regarding taking part in the activities. The research describes the effects upon people who were engaged with the programme. Positive benefits are reported both on a personal and on a social level. The authors concluded that joining in with arts activities helped people with learning disabilities to feel a part of the community.
Exploring the reliability and validity of the Social–Moral Awareness Test
- Authors:
- LIVERSEY Alexandra, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(6), November 2012, pp.553-570.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with learning disabilities may face significant difficulties integrating into community settings. One reason may be that individual may not understand the complexities of human behaviour and intentions and thus find themselves open to exploitation or in vulnerable social situations. The aim of this paper is to introduce the social–moral awareness test (SMAT), a measure designed for assessing socio-moral rule knowledge and reasoning in people with learning disabilities, and to provide preliminary evidence of its reliability and validity. Seventy-one participants with mild–moderate learning disabilities completed the 2 scales of the SMAT and 2 False Belief Tasks for Theory of Mind. The findings showed that the reliability of the SMAT was very good, and that the scales were uni-dimensional in factor structure. There was a significant positive relationship between Theory of Mind and both SMAT scales. Further research is required to support these preliminary findings.
Big and beautiful
- Authors:
- MCMINN Claire, BELLAMY Lorainne
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, 119, November 2010, pp.24-25.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
The Beautiful Octopus Club, which takes place four times a year, is a club night for people with and without a learning disability. As well as catering for clubbers with a learning disability, the event was set up to meet the needs of performers. The club is now 15 years old. The authors report on the celebrations held at the Royal Festival Hall, London where the headline performers were a punk and hip-hop three piece, two of whom had a learning disability.
Bowled over
- Author:
- ANDREWS Crispin
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 10(7), August 2010, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
This article focuses on how cricket, with its clear rules, is proving an ideal game for people with learning disabilities, and opening up new horizons for them. In December 2009, a group of players, many of whom has never been on a plane before, made a journey to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground as representatives of the England learning disabilities national cricket squad. The article outlines the rise of learning disability cricket throughout England, pointing to November 2007, when Ian Martin was appointed as national disabilities manager. Now, thousands of people with learning disabilities play cricket, both in mainstream clubs and in a county championship alongside people with physical disabilities. The article highlights several examples of people with learning disabilities who had previously underachieved at school, but have now made a success at professional cricket.
A voluntary effort
- Author:
- McMILLAN Ian A.
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, April 2010, pp.28-30.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
Volunteering is a powerful tool to promote social inclusion, challenging stigma and helping unemployed people move into the workplace. Under the Access to Volunteering initiative, organisations that support disabled people who want to become volunteers stand to receive small grants worth up to a total of £2 million. The concern that volunteers may be used to replace experienced and trained staff is discussed. The article then looks at the work of Community Service Volunteers in west Norfolk and Essex in supporting adults with learning disabilities to become volunteers in their communities. The CSV teams in west Norfolk and Essex typically have around 80 and 60 people with learning disabilities respectively on their books. The aim is to increase independence and community integration, and to break down barriers and stereotypes about disability. Also discussed is the work of the Kingston Volunteer Group. This project provides a ‘buddy’ scheme, partnering volunteers and people with learning disabilities with similar interests to go out and have fun together doing various activities such as cycling, arts and crafts, and visiting museums and theatres.
Community facilitators
- Author:
- GRAHAM Katie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Connecting, 22, September 2009, pp.11-12.
- Publisher:
- Community Connecting
The development of Community facilitators service in York is described. The service works with all adults with learning disabilities in York and provides information and advice, carries out preventive work and capacity building for community development projects. As they work outside of Fair Access to Care Services their remit is broad and there is no eligibility criteria to use their services.
The 'practical idealist'
- Author:
- VALIOS Natalie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 25.6.09, 2009, p.28.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Lucy Bolden, who works for the disability charity Papworth Trust, has been recognised as an Excellence Network champion by Community Care. This article looks at her commitment and work with the Foundations for Living project.
Sporting chance
- Author:
- HUDSON Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Professional Social Work, April 2019, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
People with learning disabilities are disproportionately impacted by social isolation. This article reports on Midland Mencap, a sports programme that is helping people with learning disabilities to build friendships, overcome social isolation and increase levels of confidence. (Edited publisher abstract)