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Social policy and people with intellectual disabilities in Poland: enhancing quality of life?
- Authors:
- OTREBSKI Wojciech, NORTHWAY Ruth, MANSELL Ian
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7(4), December 2003, pp.363-374.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The past decade has been a time of great political, social and economic change within Poland. Such changes have affected the lives of all citizens including those with an intellectual disability. However, within the English language literature there is little published concerning the impact of changes in social policy on this group of people and the extent to which their quality of life has been enhanced. This article thus considers the difficult relationship between quality of life and social policy, provides an overview of key policy developments within Poland (both general and disability specific), and outlines some ways in which they have impacted on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It is suggested that further research is required before clear conclusions can be drawn. Areas for service development and research are thus proposed.
The uncertain convergence of disability policies in Western Europe
- Author:
- HVINDEN Bjorn
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Administration, 37(6), December 2003, pp.609-624.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In the last decades disability has emerged as a key area for European social policy. So far there have been few indications of a general trend towards greater similarity in the disability policies of member states. This paper argues that attempts to promote common approaches and patterns of effort between member states are more likely to succeed in “vacant” sub-areas of disability policy than in more “crowded” ones. Existing redistributive provisions within income maintenance, employment and independent living are examples of crowded sub-areas. By contrast, the emerging anti-discrimination legislation and other forms of market regulation recently introduced by the EU may point towards more vacant policy areas within member states.
Aging, disability, and disabled older people in India
- Author:
- PRAKASH Indira Jai
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 15(23), 2003, pp.67-83.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
India is witnessing a demographic revolution, leading to a considerable increase in the proportion of older people in the population. Similarly, life expectancy of both the mentally and physically disabled has improved considerably. About 5% of Indian older people have problems with physical mobility. Aging has become a gender issue in India not only because more women are surviving into old age; they are also vulnerable and disadvantaged in many ways. In most cases they are the only caregivers available for the old and disabled. Older Indians are considered a high-risk group for multiple morbidity. It is estimated that nearly four million Indians suffer from mental problems. India has around 12 million people designated as “handicapped.” However, little information is available about disabled people who grow older. The National Policy on Older Persons, which has been recently formulated, aims at providing an improved quality of life for millions of older Indians. However, the concerns of older disabled and of the disabled who grow old are still treated separately in both policy and practice.
The missing million: supporting disabled people into work
- Authors:
- STANLEY Kate, REGAN Sue
- Publisher:
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 92p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
There are well over one million disabled people missing from the labour market - people who want to work but are not working. Three million people claim incapacity benefits: more than the combined total of lone parents and unemployed people claiming unemployment benefits. This issue is likely to become increasingly important as one in five adults of working age are now disabled and we have an ageing population in which older people are more likely to become disabled. The authors show current policies to be inadequate to meet the scale and importance of the challenge of supporting many more disabled people into work.
Health and employment: towards a New Deal
- Authors:
- EASTERLOW Donna, SMITH Susan J.
- Journal article citation:
- Policy and Politics, 31(4), October 2003, pp.511-533.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
This article draws on lay perspectives to question some assumptions underpinning the government's New Deal for people with long-term illness or disability in Britain. Tracing out the interaction between health and employment trajectories, interviewees challenge the idea that over-generous benefits pave the route to non-employment. They also question the emphasis on matching skills to jobs as a pathway back to work. People experiencing ill-health do not lack the incentive to work and they are likely to be forced, rather than lured, into pensions and onto benefits. The New Deal aims to enhance labour supply, but the problems people experience are more about the organisation of work and the limited demand for their skills.
Public policy implications of elderly interstate migration to Oregon, 1985-1990
- Author:
- COXE Leland M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 15(1), 2003, pp.79-85.
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Several Oregon counties received a noticeable influx of elderly migrants from other states during the 1980s. Oregon policy regarding taxes, land use, and long-term care is examined for possible influence on migration. Models of elderly migration are examined for insight into how public policy influences migration, and previous research regarding the effects of elderly migration on public policy is reviewed. Data regarding disability and financial vulnerability among elderly by migration status are analyzed for possible influence upon public policy. Change in the population aged 65 and older mirrored state and national patterns for 1980 to 1990 and 1990 to 1999. Interstate elderly arriving in attractive counties reported a low prevalence of disability and financial vulnerability, indicating low risk of demanding public assistance. Interstate elderly arriving in population centers reported a relatively high prevalence of disability but a low prevalence of financial vulnerability. This may suggest that Oregon's long-term are policy influenced elderly migration. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Tasmania Together?: a disability critique of a social plan
- Authors:
- NEWELL Christopher, WILKINSON Robin
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 18(4), June 2003, pp.457-470.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The 'Tasmania Together' social futures plan for Tasmania is critically examined. Authored by a Tasmanian Government appointed Community Leaders Group, on behalf of the people of Tasmania, the plan is supposed to deliver a better Tasmanian society by 2020, based upon community consultation. Rather than a step-forward in democracy, the process serves to remove the democratic rights of people, especially those who are disadvantaged. A critique from a disability perspective is offered, which suggests that this social plan constitutes a form of institutionalised disablism.
Quality of life for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities: review of conceptual and methodological issues relevant to public policy
- Authors:
- ZEKOVIC Buga, RENWICK Rebecca
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 18(1), January 2003, pp.19-34.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The construct of quality of life has great potential for guiding development and evaluation of policies for children with developmental disabilities. However, there are many different definitions and models of quality of life, and not all of them are equally appropriate for developing policies that would meaningfully address the needs of children with develop mental disabilities. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to review major approaches to quality of life and discuss three models specific to children with respect to their relevance to public policy for children with developmental disabilities. Review of these models includes a discussion of quality of life definitions and conceptual issues, as well as analysis of major measurement characteristics of the instrument(s) associated with each model. Potential of each model for guiding development and evaluation of policy is also considered.
Social policy review 15: UK and international perspectives
- Editor:
- CATHERINE Bochel
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 272p.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Annual selection of commissioned articles focusing on developments and debates in the UK, Europe and internationally.
Understanding social security: issues for policy and practice
- Editor:
- Millar Jane
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 335p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Reform of social security and tax is at the heart of the government's vision to combat social exclusion, eradicate child poverty and move people into employment. Since 1997 there have been changes in policy and administration, directly affecting the lives of millions of people and raising important issues of equity and social justice. This book provides an analysis of these changes and their impact and covers both social security policy and practice addressing key issues such as tax credits, welfare-to-work, cash and care, fraud, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities, disability, the pledge to end child poverty, pensions, international policy contexts, policy making and institutional change and policy implementation for service delivery.