British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(3), March 1997, pp.115-122.
Publisher:
Sage
Reports on a study of the housing needs of people with disabilities (aged 16 to 65) in Shropshire. The study included interviews with disabled people and with front-line and managerial staff in several agencies, a survey of disabled people, and the analysis of quantitative data. The findings highlight the high level of need for adaptations and more appropriate housing for disabled people; the importance of greater user involvement in the way needs are identified and services provided; the need for reform of the Disabled Facilities Grant system; and the need for an integrated inter-agency approach to meeting disabled people's housing needs.
Reports on a study of the housing needs of people with disabilities (aged 16 to 65) in Shropshire. The study included interviews with disabled people and with front-line and managerial staff in several agencies, a survey of disabled people, and the analysis of quantitative data. The findings highlight the high level of need for adaptations and more appropriate housing for disabled people; the importance of greater user involvement in the way needs are identified and services provided; the need for reform of the Disabled Facilities Grant system; and the need for an integrated inter-agency approach to meeting disabled people's housing needs.
Subject terms:
housing, interagency cooperation, needs, occupational therapy, physical disabilities, service users, social care provision, user participation, assistive technology, consultation;
Minority ethnic communities face substantial inequalities and discrimination in employment, education, health and social services. People with learning difficulties from minority ethnic communities experience simultaneous disadvantage in relation to race, impairment and for women, gender. Negative stereotypes and attitudes held by service professionals contribute to the disadvantage they face.
Minority ethnic communities face substantial inequalities and discrimination in employment, education, health and social services. People with learning difficulties from minority ethnic communities experience simultaneous disadvantage in relation to race, impairment and for women, gender. Negative stereotypes and attitudes held by service professionals contribute to the disadvantage they face.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, physical disabilities, planning, stereotyped attitudes, access to services, advocacy, Asian people, attitudes, black and minority ethnic people, discrimination, education, employment, empowerment;
Minority ethnic communities face substantial inequalities and discrimination in employment, education, health and social services. People with learning difficulties from minority ethnic communities experience simultaneous disadvantage in relation to race, impairment and for women, gender. Negative stereotypes and attitudes held by service professionals contribute to the disadvantage they face.
Minority ethnic communities face substantial inequalities and discrimination in employment, education, health and social services. People with learning difficulties from minority ethnic communities experience simultaneous disadvantage in relation to race, impairment and for women, gender. Negative stereotypes and attitudes held by service professionals contribute to the disadvantage they face.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, physical disabilities, planning, stereotyped attitudes, access to services, advocacy, Asian people, attitudes, black and minority ethnic people, discrimination, education, employment, empowerment;
Main findings from a series of seminars held to discuss the routine measurement of outcomes in personal social services. The seminars focused in turn on older people; people with learning difficutlies; mental health; disability; and carers.
Main findings from a series of seminars held to discuss the routine measurement of outcomes in personal social services. The seminars focused in turn on older people; people with learning difficutlies; mental health; disability; and carers.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people, outcomes, physical disabilities, social services, social care provision, assessment, carers, community care, cutbacks;
Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services. Social Services Insp
Publication year:
1995
Pagination:
6p.
Place of publication:
Belfast
Paper outlining the background to a literature review on the support needs of physically and sensorily disabled adults. The review highlights the need for services to promote independent living, the importance of equal opportunities for disabled people, and the need for disabled people to be involved in determining the support services to be provided.
Paper outlining the background to a literature review on the support needs of physically and sensorily disabled adults. The review highlights the need for services to promote independent living, the importance of equal opportunities for disabled people, and the need for disabled people to be involved in determining the support services to be provided.
Subject terms:
independence, literature reviews, needs, physical disabilities, policy formulation, social policy, social care provision, user participation, visual impairment, cutbacks, deafness, equal opportunities;
Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services. Social Services Insp
Publication year:
1995
Pagination:
147p.
Place of publication:
Belfast
Literature review of major publications and research, 1985-95, of social support needs of physically and sensorily disabled adults; and to take account of international and national developments.
Literature review of major publications and research, 1985-95, of social support needs of physically and sensorily disabled adults; and to take account of international and national developments.
Extended abstract:
NOCON Andrew, et al. The social support needs of physically and sensorily disabled adults: a literature review. Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services. Social Services Inspectorate, 1995.
Summary
Literature review of major publications and research, 1985-95, of social support needs of physically and sensorily disabled adults; and to take account of international and national developments.
Context
Review was commissioned by SSI Northern Ireland to inform a task group developing strategies for physically and sensorily disabled adults.
Contents
Chapters address
background
independent living
involving users
organisational tasks
provision of appropriate services
sensory disability
the wider social context
Discussion
New community care arrangements and the demands of the disability movement have potential to improve the care that disabled people receive from personal social services. However, specialist social workers may be drawn into generic care management and professional staff may be unwilling to share power.
Findings
User-directed personal assistance schemes have enabled disabled people to determine what assistance is to be provided, how, when and by whom, and have been shown to be cheaper than services provided by the statutory sector.
Partnership with users calls for a major cultural shift within organisations. Examples of over-investment show that such a shift is possible and can yield valuable results. Users nevertheless need appropriate support, facilities and training if they are to be enabled to contribute fully to the planning process.
Organisational tasks required are a population needs assessment on which to base the provision of appropriate services; an integrated approach by health and personal social services; education and training for professional staff; and outcomes evaluation to establish how well services are meeting users' needs and achieving policy goals.
Existing services have shortcomings, including unsuitable goals and timing, long waits for equipment, imposing of professionals' views, and inappropriate services for young people, older people and people from ethnic minorities.
Services for sensorily disabled people have been especially poor, with little known about needs and inadequate responses by agencies.
Disabled people require more support to gain access to mainstream provision in housing, employment, transport, education and access to buildings, as well as greater financial support to cope with their additional costs. The most successful approaches to equality of opportunity for disabled people involve universally accessible provision and a corporate inter-agency approach.
Conclusion
Accessing needs and providing more appropriate services requires listening to disabled people's views, the involvement of disabled people in individual needs assessment and broader service planning, and major change within tight budgets at the same time as a demanding new set of organisational responsibilities. The challenge is underpinned by the basic principle of a concept of independent living, equal opportunities and a voice in determining how needs are to be met.
See also executive summary
Annotated bibliography 155 refs plus 308 refs
Subject terms:
independence, literature reviews, needs, physical disabilities, policy formulation, social policy, social care provision, user participation, visual impairment, cutbacks, deafness, equal opportunities;