Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Older women with intellectual disabilities: overcoming barriers to autonomy
- Authors:
- STRNADOVA Iva, EVANS David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 12(1), 2015, pp.12-19.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to identify factors both limiting and contributing to a perception of autonomy held by older-aged women with intellectual disabilities. A total of 55 older women with intellectual disabilities resident in New South Wales (Australia) and Czech Republic (Europe) took part in the study. The women were recruited via support groups, employment agencies for persons with disabilities, day centres, sheltered workshops, self-advocacy groups, and nongovernmental organizations. The women were interviewed and the data from the interviews were analysed following a grounded theory approach. The study identified two factors with potential to limit autonomy of women with intellectual disabilities: (1) intra-individual factors (e.g., health issues); and (2) environmental factors (e.g., living arrangements, finances). Drawing on responses from the women, the authors propose factors that may have a potential to strengthen autonomy among these women. The implications of the findings were reviewed and it is suggested that families and service providers should be made aware of ways to support autonomy of older women with intellectual disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Working with women with learning disabilities who have experienced gender-based violence
- Authors:
- MACINTYRE Gillian, STEWART Ailsa
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This Insight summarises the evidence on women with learning disabilities who have experienced gender-based violence, the policy context, prevalence of abuse, risk factors, profiles of victims and perpetrators, and types of abuse and their impact. The paper also looks at the support that is available for this group of women, accessibility to mainstream services, barriers to seeking help, lack of awareness of available support, and the implications for the social service workforce. Key points include: the evidence base is limited due to inconsistencies around definitions, as well as a lack of research involving women with learning disabilities; very few studies in Scotland on gender-based violence (GBV) have looked in-depth at the experiences of women with learning disabilities; evidence suggests that women with learning disabilities are disproportionately likely to experience GBV, but are often a hidden population; abuse experienced by women with learning disabilities is often pervasive, leading to a normalisation of abuse - this makes it difficult for women to identify abusive behaviours and is a significant barrier to accessing services; support that includes educational components is vital for women to understand and identify abuse; trusting relationships and longevity of engagement are critical to enabling women to access appropriate support and to ensure that women feel believed and reassured that they are not to blame for the abuse; other preventative strategies, such as building social networks, developing peer support and challenging other areas of disadvantage in women's lives, are also important. (Edited publisher abstract)
Out of the shadows: women with learning disabilities in contact with or on the edges of the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- HAMMOND Tracy, et al
- Publisher:
- Prison Reform Trust
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 48
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, collaboration between the Prison Reform Trust and KeyRing Living Support Networks, finds that women with learning disabilities are at risk of becoming drawn into the criminal justice system due to failures to recognise their disability and a lack of appropriate support. It draws on the experiences of 24 women with learning disabilities in contact with, or on the edges of, the criminal justice system; and practitioners working within criminal justice, social care, and women’s services. It also considers the legislative and policy frameworks that exist to help ensure women with learning disabilities get the support they need and which can help them avoid content with criminal justice services. In the research the women talked about their difficulties in accessing support when they needed it most, not understanding the implications of their behaviour and failure to comply with imposed sanctions; their histories as victims of violent and abusive behaviour; and enforced separation from their children. Other areas discussed included histories of drugs and addiction, access to housing The report makes ten recommendations to ensure that the needs of women with learning disabilities are recognised and met. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘I know it was every week, but I can't be sure if it was every day: domestic violence and women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, HUNT Siobhan, MILNE-SKILLMAN Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(2), 2017, pp.269-282.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Domestic violence against women is well researched in the general population, but much less so in relation to women with learning disabilities. This qualitative research study interviewed 15 women with learning disabilities who had experienced domestic violence about their experiences, the impact of the violence on them and their children, their coping strategies and help seeking behaviour. Materials and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using Inter-pretive Phenomenological Analysis. A service user advisory group helped at particular stages, notably at the formative stage and with dissemination, especially the production of accessible materials, including a DVD. Results: The violence experienced by many of the women was severe and frequent. It impacted negatively on their physical and psychological well-being. The women's awareness of refuges and others sources of help was generally low. Conclusions: Healthcare and social care professionals have a clear remit to help women with learning disabilities to avoid and escape violent relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)
Contraceptive choices for women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- EARLE Sarah, et al
- Publisher:
- Open University. Faculty of Health and Social Care
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 66
- Place of publication:
- Milton Keynes
This report presents key findings from interviews undertaken with 19 women with learning disabilities about their experiences of contraceptive decision-making. The stories were gathered by an inclusive team of female researchers from the Open University who interviewed women across a range of UK settings.The research looked specifically at why women believe they are receiving contraceptive care, how have women made decisions about what sort of contraception would be useful to them, whether they feel supported to make contraceptive decisions, and the type of support the women have received to understand contraceptive care and its implications. The research found that women’s experiences of contraceptive decision-making vary hugely, as do levels of experience, knowledge and understanding. One key finding reported was that women appreciate staff who will listen carefully to concerns about contraception and relationships and support then to access the best contraception care. Other key findings include that: a few women make very independent choices about sex and contraception and others are supported to make contraceptive choices by family, friends, advocates and health and social care professionals; women are sometimes on contraception because they are not trusted or believed, or because they are thought to be ‘at risk’ of pregnancy and abuse; some women do not receive suitable information or advice to make informed choices and decisions; and some women reported having been forced to use contraception when it was not needed. Drawing on the research finding, the report sets out implications for policy, practice and future research to help support women with learning disabilities to make appropriate contraceptive choices. (Edited publisher abstract)
What helps women who have learning disabilities get checked for cervical cancer?
- Author:
- MONTEITH Elaine
- Publisher:
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Reports the findings of practitioner research to identify what prevents women with learning disabilities accessing cervical screening in Scotland, and what could assist them in accessing this service. The research methodology was largely qualitative. It involved a literature review and interviews with women with learning disabilities and personal assistants who had supported woman with learning disabilities during their career to gather their views, feelings and attitudes. In total six people were interviewed; three were women randomly selected and all were over the age of twenty-five (the age where women should have been invited to attend at least one cervical screening appointment) with learning disabilities; one of whom had accessed cervical screening services and three personal assistants. Analysis of the data gathered from one-to-one interviews was compared to findings of the studies identified through a literature review. Analysis of the findings from the literature review and the interview process suggest that cervical screening for women with learning disabilities is not routinely accessed. From the data collated and analysed, possible barriers are pain, perceived pain, embarrassment and lack of information that can be easily understood. It is concluded that to best enable women to attend for screening an awareness and education of the importance of attending the appointment for both PAs and people supported should be raised. The paper was produced as part of the PROP2 (Practitioner Research: Outcomes and Partnership) programme, a partnership between the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) at the University of Edinburgh and IRISS covering health and social care in Scotland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Domestic violence and women with learning disabilities
- Authors:
- McCARTHY Michelle, HUNT Siobhan, MILNE-SKILLMAN Karen
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 4
Summarises the findings of a study on women’s experience of domestic violence. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 women with mild and moderate learning disabilities who had experienced domestic violence in the previous five years, and had left the violent relationship. The study also draws on an online nationwide survey of care practitioners and police across the UK, exploring their experience of working with women with learning disabilities who had lived with domestic violence, their views on the women’s vulnerability and their reasons for leaving/staying in a violent relationship. The women interviewed reported that the domestic violence they experienced was often severe (including the use of weapons, and violence during pregnancy), frequent and over long periods of time. All forms of domestic violence were reported – physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial, coercive control- and typically women would experience multiple forms at the same time. The psychological impact on the women was considerable. All reported low self-esteem and self-worth and many reported developing mental health problems (most commonly anxiety and depression). Some began to self-harm and a minority had had suicidal thoughts and/or had attempted suicide. The husbands or boyfriends of the women in the study did not usually have learning disabilities themselves, but did tend to have other problems such as mental health difficulties, drug and alcohol problems, be unemployed and/or have criminal records. (Edited publisher abstract)
Staying strong: taking self advocacy into the future
- Author:
- NATIONAL FORUM OF PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
- Publisher:
- National Forum of People with Learning Difficulties
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 40p.
- Place of publication:
- Shoreham-by-Sea
Self advocacy groups are led by people with learning disabilities. They work to ensure that people with learning disabilities are treated fairly. This easy read guide aims to help self advocacy groups adapt and change their ways of working, and to ensure they have a plan for their future. It is based on a survey of self-advocacy groups from all over England and provides an overview of how groups are run, what they do and advice on how to plan to stay strong as government funding is reduced. The report includes information on five groups including a group of people with complex needs, an Asian women’s group and a parents’ group.
Good practice in breast and cervical screening for women with learning disabilities
- Publisher:
- NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 42p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
Summarising current guidance on access to health care for people with learning disabilities and explaining the issues of consent for breast or cervical screening, the purpose of this guidance is to describe good practice to ensure that women with learning disabilities have the same rights of access as all other women to the NHS Breast Screening Programme and the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. It is aimed at health or social services staff who provide support for women with learning disabilities, staff who work in screening programmes, and staff and family members who provide support for women with learning disabilities. The guidance recommends good practice so that wherever possible women with a learning disability can have access to information to enable them to make their own decisions about screening, know what to expect when they attend the screening so that it is a positive experience, and understand the possible consequences of screening and the need to be aware of changes in their own bodies. It includes criteria for assessing the capacity of individuals to consent to screening and recommendations on what to do if a woman is not able to consent. This publication has now been superseded by Equal access to breast and cervical screening for disabled women.
Too little too late
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 10.11.05, 2005, pp.42-43.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A panel discuss the case of a woman with learning difficulties whose complaint about abuse by a care worker was ignored.