Journal of Integrated Care, 12(1), February 2004, pp.19-26.
Publisher:
Emerald
Reports on a literature review and provides illustrations of how the evidence can be used to underpin the development of assistive technology services for older and disabled people and disabled children. The aim is to support the development of user-focused, accessible services.
Reports on a literature review and provides illustrations of how the evidence can be used to underpin the development of assistive technology services for older and disabled people and disabled children. The aim is to support the development of user-focused, accessible services.
Subject terms:
independence, information technology, literature reviews, older people, physical disabilities, assistive technology, children, evidence-based practice;
Despite some recent policy acknowledgement of the potential role of low intensity support services in assisting people to live independently, community care resources continue to be targeted mainly on high level, often crisis, interventions. Partly because of this continuing focus, there has been little consideration of the evidence of the value of low intensity services. The Centre for Housing Policy, University of York, has now undertaken a systematic research literature review of the effectiveness of such services in enabling people to live independently in ordinary housing. Presents the findings.
Despite some recent policy acknowledgement of the potential role of low intensity support services in assisting people to live independently, community care resources continue to be targeted mainly on high level, often crisis, interventions. Partly because of this continuing focus, there has been little consideration of the evidence of the value of low intensity services. The Centre for Housing Policy, University of York, has now undertaken a systematic research literature review of the effectiveness of such services in enabling people to live independently in ordinary housing. Presents the findings.
Subject terms:
independence, housing, literature reviews, older people, physical disabilities, social care provision, supported living, surveys, user views, evaluation;
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;