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Achieving positive change in people's lives through the National Learning Disability Strategy: an invitation to partnership between higher education and the world of practice
- Authors:
- TOWELL David, HOLLINS Sheila
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 28(4), December 2000, pp.129-136.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The launch of the National Learning Disability Strategy (NLDS) in England (and parallel initiatives in Scotland and Wales) provides the best opportunity for a generation to close the huge gap between the aspirations of people with learning disabilities and their families for a full life, and most people's current experience. The implementation of the NLDS is a complex challenge, requiring new forms of partnership among a wide range of stakeholders to deliver sustainable change. The present paper describes an enhanced role for universities as champions of local progress, promoting, supporting and evaluating informed change through a range of functions which go well beyond the traditional focus on research and teaching. It is also an invitation to relevant centres, or coalitions of centres on a regional basis, to explore with people, families and public agencies the optimum form of their contribution to these new partnerships.
Achieving positive change in people's lives through the national learning disabilities strategy: lessons from an American experience
- Author:
- TOWELL David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 5(3), August 2000, pp.30-36.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
In 1999, a team from England, comprising self-advocates, family members, leading professionals and policy-makers, participated in the annual 'collaborative Academy' of the US president's committee on Mental Retardation. Fundamental to the academy methods is the commitment to work inclusively across different interests and engage directly with experiences. This paper identifies 41 lessons drawn by the team from US experience, including research- and practice-based perspectives relevant to maximising progress in the context of the forthcoming national learning disability strategy in England. Focusing on the four main themes of learning from good stories, strengthening effective leadership, establishing inclusive policies and building better partnerships in policy-making, action points are identified at local, regional and national levels. The paper also promotes the value of the academy method itself as a vehicle for promoting strategy implementation, describing an enhanced role for selected universities in supporting informed change.