The author joins wheelchair user Cynthia Fairbairn on a day trip to some of London's stores and attraction to find out how accessible London has become for disabled people since the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. She finds grounds for hope amid the hassle.
The author joins wheelchair user Cynthia Fairbairn on a day trip to some of London's stores and attraction to find out how accessible London has become for disabled people since the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. She finds grounds for hope amid the hassle.
Subject terms:
law, mobility impairment, physical disabilities, user views, access to services, discrimination;
Ealing council's special educational needs school service decided to hold a conference, entitled Powerful Voices, on disability and education with pupils as delegates. This article highlights the key lessons learned from organising the conference.
Ealing council's special educational needs school service decided to hold a conference, entitled Powerful Voices, on disability and education with pupils as delegates. This article highlights the key lessons learned from organising the conference.
Subject terms:
inclusive education, physical disabilities, user participation, user views, children, education;
Adoption and Fostering, 30(2), Summer 2006, pp.18-28.
Publisher:
Sage
This article is based on a three-year longitudinal study of 596 foster children in seven local authorities in England. All were in foster care in 1998, and they were studied then and at two further points (1999 and 2001). Data from the study is used to look at the experiences of disabled foster children in relation to contact with birth families. Earlier studies of disabled children who are looked after suggests that their need for family contact is at least as great as that of others, but that a combination of practical difficulties and professional attitudes may lead to a lower level of contact. This article shows that disabled foster children do, on average, have lower levels of contact than their non-disabled peers. It then uses qualitative data to consider possible reasons for this, along with the implications for good practice.
This article is based on a three-year longitudinal study of 596 foster children in seven local authorities in England. All were in foster care in 1998, and they were studied then and at two further points (1999 and 2001). Data from the study is used to look at the experiences of disabled foster children in relation to contact with birth families. Earlier studies of disabled children who are looked after suggests that their need for family contact is at least as great as that of others, but that a combination of practical difficulties and professional attitudes may lead to a lower level of contact. This article shows that disabled foster children do, on average, have lower levels of contact than their non-disabled peers. It then uses qualitative data to consider possible reasons for this, along with the implications for good practice.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, longitudinal studies, physical disabilities, user views, birth parents, contact, foster care, foster children;
Disability and Society, 21(1), January 2006, pp.31-45.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Parents of children with disabilities interact with a wide range of service providers in order to assure appropriate services for their children. While some actions performed by professionals are viewed as helpful, many are viewed as obstructive. Surveys completed by over 120 parents in the United States identified past actions perceived to be helpful and those thought to be unhelpful as well as identification of professionals associated with those actions. Using the critical incident technique, narrative responses were based on actual experiences that parents described. Parents were also asked to articulate specific actions they would like professionals to take in the future. Over half of the responses request desired relationships with professionals that focus on respect, collaboration, communication and information sharing. Implications for pre-professional training are discussed.
Parents of children with disabilities interact with a wide range of service providers in order to assure appropriate services for their children. While some actions performed by professionals are viewed as helpful, many are viewed as obstructive. Surveys completed by over 120 parents in the United States identified past actions perceived to be helpful and those thought to be unhelpful as well as identification of professionals associated with those actions. Using the critical incident technique, narrative responses were based on actual experiences that parents described. Parents were also asked to articulate specific actions they would like professionals to take in the future. Over half of the responses request desired relationships with professionals that focus on respect, collaboration, communication and information sharing. Implications for pre-professional training are discussed.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, parents, physical disabilities, teachers, user views, visual impairment, attitudes, children, health professionals;
Based in the east of England, CREDO east is a charitable organisation that works with teenagers who have multiple impairments and who require high levels of support to live their lives as they wish. The author was commissioned by CREDO east to evaluate their work in order to inform future planning. The research centred on four young people, all of whom had Circles of Support initiated and facilitated by CREDO east. Most of them also participated in CREDO east’s community activities and events. Data were gathered through interviews with three of the young people, family members, and Circle members, some of whom were also involved professionals. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals to obtain their views more generally on the work of CREDO east and its impact. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. CREDO east was said to have given young people and families a voice, opened up a range of opportunities for young people and their families, and developed community support networks that are powerful, creative and sustainable. Young people and family members valued CREDO east’s independence very highly. Professionals were also very positive about CREDO east and its work although they reported that there were sometimes tensions between the work of CREDO east and budgetary and procedural constraints that they themselves experienced. The author concludes that in the future CREDO east should continue to develop personalised initiatives while also expanding their capacity to engage more significantly with services, professionals and larger numbers of service users.
Based in the east of England, CREDO east is a charitable organisation that works with teenagers who have multiple impairments and who require high levels of support to live their lives as they wish. The author was commissioned by CREDO east to evaluate their work in order to inform future planning. The research centred on four young people, all of whom had Circles of Support initiated and facilitated by CREDO east. Most of them also participated in CREDO east’s community activities and events. Data were gathered through interviews with three of the young people, family members, and Circle members, some of whom were also involved professionals. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals to obtain their views more generally on the work of CREDO east and its impact. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. CREDO east was said to have given young people and families a voice, opened up a range of opportunities for young people and their families, and developed community support networks that are powerful, creative and sustainable. Young people and family members valued CREDO east’s independence very highly. Professionals were also very positive about CREDO east and its work although they reported that there were sometimes tensions between the work of CREDO east and budgetary and procedural constraints that they themselves experienced. The author concludes that in the future CREDO east should continue to develop personalised initiatives while also expanding their capacity to engage more significantly with services, professionals and larger numbers of service users.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, multiple disabilities, person-centred care, physical disabilities, social inclusion, support groups, user views, young people, assessment, case studies, charities, evaluation;