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To be read in conjunction with the Asian Development Bank report Poverty: Is it an Issue in the Pacific? The intent of the papers is to foster broadly based consultation among the Asian Development Bank, governments, and civil society for the purpose of developing a supportive and appropriate approach to ensuring equitable growth and poverty reduction. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank or the governments of Pacific developing member countries.

This study goes back to look at some research which was about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people with learning disabilities. Have things got better or worse for LGBT people as this research was performed? It is hard to say whether things have changed because we still do not know very much about the experiences of LGBT people with learning disabilities themselves. 'Secret Loves, Hidden Lives?' was a piece of research which explored the lives and loves of gay, lesbian and bisexual people with learning disabilities. The research arguably influenced the development of policy in that same sex relationships were subsequently mentioned in English government policy on learning disability. The research had an extensive programme of dissemination, and whilst no systematic attempt was made to measure the impact of the dissemination or the research, this study suggests ways in which the research might (or might not) have made a difference in relation to: telling untold stories, supporting front line workers with practical resources, challenging negative assumptions held by staff in services and putting LGBT people with learning disabilities in touch with each other. The study also considers work which was left undone and reflects on the opportunities to support LGBT people with learning disabilities in the current context of financial austerity.

Research which involves disabled children and young people now constitutes a fairly well‐established body of work in the social sciences. However, discussion on the role of the (normally adult) researcher has arguably been marginalised in the much‐needed exploration of disabled children's 'voices'. Drawing on a qualitative study of the transition to adulthood for young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, this paper reflects on the interview 'encounter' between the interviewer, young men and their families. It suggests that we may learn more about the experiences of disabled children and young people if we can find ways of describing the co‐production of responses, non‐responses and meaning within research interviews.

Background  In the UK and elsewhere, there is a growing policy and legislative imperative to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are supported to develop relationships, including sexual ones. However, gay, lesbian and bisexual people with intellectual disabilities may have additional needs or face particular barriers in this area of their lives. They may require particular kinds of support from the staff who work with them. But how able, or willing, are staff in services to address these issues?Method  As part of empirical, qualitative research, the authors carried out interviews with 71 staff in 20 intellectual disability services across the UK about their views and experiences of working with people with intellectual disabilities who were, or may have been, gay, lesbian or bisexual.Results  The majority of staff interviewed said that they did not feel confident working in this area. A number of barriers to doing the work were identified including a lack of policy and training as well as the prejudice of staff and parents/carers.Conclusions  The reticence of staff to engage with these issues needs addressing especially in the light of the emerging human rights of people with intellectual disabilities to develop sexual and intimate relationships.

Abstract Current policy‐making assumes people perceive and respond to financial risk in a uniform and rational way. This research sought to investigate whether social and cultural differences along the dimensions of disability, sexuality, faith and ethnicity influence attitudes to money and approaches to planning for possible financial risk eventualities. Eighty in‐depth interviews with individuals committed to different faiths (Muslim and Christian), disabled people, gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and members of black and minority ethnic groups (black and Asian) were conducted in 2005/2006. Mainstream cultural reference points were dominant in respondents' accounts; however, difference was also found to be more determining in some areas than has previously been documented. The article explores the impact of these relationships on financial planning and draws out the policy implications of the different elements of difference on financial planning. The study argues that socio‐cultural approaches to risk need to be better understood at the policy‐making level.