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This collection of essays investigates the historical genealogy of our contemporary ideas of intellectual or learning disability. The essays engage with literary, educational, cultural, legal, religious, psychiatric and philosophical histories to track how and why these precursor ideas arose and explore how they helped shape current concepts

AbstractThis paper considers recent developments in terminating human life affected by intellectual and developmental disability. It brings these developments together under the heading of a progressing eugenics. It argues that the acts under discussion are eugenic with regard to their moral justification, even if not in their intention. Terminating human life in contemporary society is aiming at the alleviation of suffering, not the enhancement of the human gene pool. Three distinct cases are traced in the literature: ending the lives of severely disabled prematurely born infants, terminating pregnancies after positive outcomes of genetic screening and testing, and ending the lives of persons with IDD by means of euthanasia. It is shown from the literature that in each of these cases the justifying reason is the prospective judgment of a 'poor' quality of life, which ties these acts to the justification of terminating human life within the history of eugenics. The pervasive judgment of poor quality of life is criticized as ignoring alternative views, most of all the views of persons and families directly implicated who do not consider living with IDD identical with a life full of suffering.

AbstractThe aging of adults with Intellectual Disability (ID) in the community resulting from deinstitutionalization signals a need for change in healthcare policy and services. This population is growing older at rates similar to the rest of the population, and individuals with ID often have multiple chronic illnesses and may experience young‐onset dementia, increasing their need to use healthcare services. However, it is widely recognized that currently healthcare services are ill‐prepared to meet the unique needs of this population as they age in their communities. The purpose of this study was to explore this issue from the perspectives of aging individuals with ID and family members (FMs). This study employed qualitative description as the method of inquiry and took place in British Columbia, Canada. Adults with ID age 40 years and older (N = 21) and FMs (N = 26) participated. Data were collected through focus groups and semistructured interviews. Thematic data analysis was conducted to generate the main study findings. Two overarching themes were identified. First, "the organization and culture of healthcare services in the community." This theme included issues such as age restrictions on health services, navigating health services, the culture of appointment‐making, and implications of living in rural settings, all of which influenced how individuals used healthcare services. Second, "interactions with healthcare providers" illustrated ways in which providers contribute to healthcare experiences. Many factors, both organizational and interpersonal, shape the experiences of aging individuals with ID using healthcare services in their communities. There continues to be a policy and service gap that can create unnecessary and avoidable difficulties in using healthcare services. Policies, service delivery, and education of healthcare providers need to be revisited in light of the unique needs of this population aging in the community in order to ensure healthcare is accessible.

AbstractHome sharing is a fast‐growing residential option in British Columbia (BC), Canada; yet little empirical research exists specific to home sharing. In BC, home sharing is defined as a living situation when one or more adults with an intellectual disability share a home with another person or unrelated family who is paid to provide residential and, at times, additional support as needed. The authors report the findings of a qualitative study exploring home sharing and the factors that contribute to quality home sharing. Guided by interpretive description, a qualitative method, individual interviews exploring participants' experiences of home sharing were conducted with 68 individuals (22 individuals with ID, 33 home share providers, and 13 family members). Constant comparison was used to analyze the data. Key factors to perceived instances of successful home sharing included (1) finding a good match between the individual with ID and the provider, (2) engaging in proactive planning, (3) ensuring effective supports to maintain the sustainability of the home share that promotes balancing the independence of and support for the individual, and (4) being attuned to the relational dynamics among all stakeholders. The findings have implications for implementing policies and practices pertaining home sharing. The authors conclude that emphasis should be put on flexible and appropriate residential supports that address the person's changing needs where the home share relationship facilitates the individual's healthy lifestyle, well‐being, independence, valued social roles, and social inclusion. Additionally, a clearly articulated system of monitoring to ensure safety should be part of all home share arrangements subject to the wishes of the individual with ID.

AbstractBackgroundA multi‐phase Canadian study was conducted as part of a large‐scale community and academic research partnership focused on understanding and improving the employment experiences of people with intellectual disabilities.MethodThis multi‐method study utilized a sequential approach, using findings from qualitative interviews (n = 28) to inform an online survey (n = 149). Participants were invited to share their experiences with paid employment or with persons with intellectual disabilities.ResultsThematic analysis of data across interview and survey findings resulted in six themes: (1) assumptions and attitudes, (2) knowledge and awareness, (3) accessibility of processes, (4) use of accommodations, (5) workplace relationships, and (6) supports and resources.ConclusionsA holistic and systemic approach has the potential to improve inclusive employment experiences of people with intellectual disabilities. Action is needed mainly at the policy and employer level to reduce barriers and improve on facilitating measures reinforced by the themes shared in this study.