Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Life histories as counter-narratives against dominant and negative stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- STEFANSDOTTIR Guorun V., TRAUSTADOTTIR Rannveig
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 30(3), 2015, pp.368-380.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The history of intellectual disabilities is largely a story of discrimination and social exclusion portraying people with intellectual disability as abnormal and inferior. This article describes a particular methodological approach to inclusive life history research with a small group of women with intellectual disabilities in Iceland. The article documents how, through a four-year collaborative research process, the life histories became counter-narratives to dominant historical beliefs and stereotypes. In addition to the personal empowerment of the women and the construction of a collective memory, this project has also resulted in public sharing of their stories through speaking up and giving presentations, and thus potentially also changing the historical memory. (Publisher abstract)
Adapting and evaluating a tree of life group for women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- RANDLE-PHILLPS Cathy, FARQUHAR Sarah, THOMAS Sally
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44 (4), 2016, pp.301-308.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: This study describes how a specific narrative therapy approach called ‘the tree of life’ was adapted to run a group for women with learning disabilities. The group consisted of four participants and ran for five consecutive weeks. Materials and Methods: Participants each constructed a tree to represent their lives and presented their tree to the group who responded with positive feedback and affirming statements. This led to discussion about overcoming the storms of life and a celebration of the journey the group had been through together. Key Results: Although no change was found on quantitative measures of well-being and self-esteem, participants reported benefitting from the peer support and social connectedness that the group offered, particularly in relation to themes of loss and change in their lives. Conclusions: ‘The tree of life’ approach has potential value as an intervention for people with learning disabilities. The benefits and challenges of this approach within the context of working with people with learning disabilities are discussed. (Publisher abstract)
Sterilization, intellectual disability, and some ethical and methodological challenges: it shouldn't be a secret
- Authors:
- STEFANSDOTTIR Guarun, HREINSDOTTIR Eyglo Ebba
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 7(3), 2013, pp.302-308.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
This article discusses the experience of an Icelandic woman with intellectual disabilities who was sterilized and how she has dealt with it. It also reflects on some ethical and methodological issues that arise during inclusive life history research. The article is based on cooperation between two women, Eygló Ebba Hreinsdóttir, who was labelled with intellectual disabilities when she moved to an institution in Iceland in the 1970s, and the researcher Guðrún V. Stefánsdóttir. The article is based on a recorded conversation between Ebba and Gudrun and the work of the Icelandic women's history group in which both participated for three years. Ebba was sterilized when she was 14 years old but didn't know about the sterilization until she was 27. The article describes the deep emotional impact and how she came to terms with it. (Edited publisher abstract)
Good times, bad times: women with learning difficulties telling their stories
- Editors:
- ATKINSON Dorothy, et al, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 243p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
Women with a learning disability give voice to their thoughts and feelings on the topics which matter to them most, including relationships, children and work. The book also records the way in which women with and without learning disability worked side by side to make their voices heard. The book includes an illustrated accessible version.
Gender, sexuality and relationships for young Australian women with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- O'SHEA Amie, FRAWLEY Patsie
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 35(4), 2020, pp.654-675.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Gender has often been overlooked in the lives of people with intellectual disability, resulting in a limited understanding and service response. This is in part due to a lack of knowledge about the way people with intellectual disability negotiate and build a gendered identity. This article presents research undertaken with six young women with an intellectual disability who worked with the first researcher to co-develop some stories from their lives. The article shows how, facilitated by an innovative method which focused on meaningful engagement, the women told stories of richly gendered lives and subjectivities. Their stories showed how gender can be a desired and productive subjectivity, and how consideration of gender can help to identify resistance and agency in their lives. Their stories illustrate how gender is necessary in forming a comprehensive understanding of the lives of women with intellectual disability. (Edited publisher abstract)
Not quite sisters: women with learning difficulties living in convent homes
- Author:
- STUART Mary
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 199p.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
This book provides women’s accounts of their lives with the nuns who cared for them, which together provide a unique record of daily life in a convent for women with learning disabilities. The book also examines the issues surrounding the closure of the convents they lived in, and looks at the historical role of religious organisations in the provision of care. The author gathered the material for this book during eight years of working with a group of women with learning disabilities who had lived in convents all their adult lives.
Practitioner social work research in action
- Editors:
- BROAD Bob, FLETCHER Colin
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
- Publication year:
- 1993
- Pagination:
- 194p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Contains research findings, as well as accounts of the development and adaptation of relevant research methods. Chapters are grouped into 4 types of practitioner research: investigation; appraisal; innovation; and state of the art reviews. Includes papers on: placing people with learning difficulties in employment; emergency social service duty systems; women in social services management; perceptions of a children's observation and assessment centre; problem drinkers on probation; dealing with clients with mental health problems; assessment of user needs; applying life history work; recognising elder abuse; the tutorial system in social work education; the adoption of children with learning difficulties; and an agenda for practitioner research.