Lifelong, informal and community learning in the lives of adults with learning disabilities

Lead Research Organisation: University of Southampton
Department Name: School of Education

Abstract

The main study encompasses ethnographic studies of two pairs of case-study areas in England and Scotland and in-depth interviews with a sample of people with learning disabilities, families, carers and supporters in the local area, often using supportive methods such as photo-elicitation ('photo-voice') (Pink, 2007) and 'eco-maps' (Rempel et al. 2007). The SCDTP student will develop a distinct but complementary inclusive theoretical approach, using the main study sites, and new sites of interest, with distinct new lines of inquiry, including:
Further exploring the lifelong, informal and community learning fostered by engagement in various research roles;
Investigating how the boundary-pushing work involving people with profound intellectual impairment in research fosters learning within communities involving those people;
Conducting comparative case studies of learning in novel situations as people with learning disabilities respond to changed policy and financial contexts in diverse ways.
By necessity, the research methods used will include selective interviews, observational analysis, and visual methods, whilst remaining open to fit the communication preferences of the disabled participants (see Nind 2008) .

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ES/P000673/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2027
2116931 Studentship ES/P000673/1 30/09/2018 28/02/2023 Abigail Croydon
 
Description This study investigated a group of young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities working in public settings with the support of a Personal Assistant.
PA support opened opportunities for social participation outside domestic and disability settings. The contribution of personalisation was ambivalent. People found work through bottom-up initiatives outside 'social care' parameters and in implicit challenge to them. Joint negotiation of preferences and opportunities resulted in unpaid work in not-for-profit contexts. Working this way enhanced the capabilities of young people to differing degrees. Collaborative relationships between young people, PAs and people in the workplace underpinned reciprocal learning processes, shown in themes of effort and recognition, mutual adaptation and affiliation. Findings for participatory learning were significant against a backdrop of substantial constraints on young people's opportunities. This study challenges conceptions of autonomy as solo performance and social norms that delegitimise work outside employment, both of which can impede access to participation and reciprocal learning in public settings.
Exploitation Route A film using the video records produced for this research is planned for 2024. It will give a narrative account of what participants were doing and what the outcomes were. This will be targetted at a social work audience and third sector organisations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy

Education

Government

Democracy and Justice

 
Description Human Development and Capabilities Assoiation Conference Thematic Panel 
Organisation University of Ghent
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint thematic panel: The Transformative Power of Interconnectedness in Practices of Personalisation Presentation, 'What freedoms do young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have to be and do the things they value? Work, learning and social connection' Discussant for panel
Collaborator Contribution Three papers were presented in the panel, including the one by myself. Toon Benoot, University Ghent: The Transformative Power of Interconnectedness in Practices of Personalisation: Simone Visentin University Padova: Fostering participation opportunities for more adult lives: the role of health-care services Both discussants
Impact Multidisciplinary - Education (AC); Social Work and Social Pedagogy (TB); Philosophy, Sociology, Education (SV)
Start Year 2022
 
Description Human Development and Capabilities Assoiation Conference Thematic Panel 
Organisation University of Padova
Country Italy 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Joint thematic panel: The Transformative Power of Interconnectedness in Practices of Personalisation Presentation, 'What freedoms do young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have to be and do the things they value? Work, learning and social connection' Discussant for panel
Collaborator Contribution Three papers were presented in the panel, including the one by myself. Toon Benoot, University Ghent: The Transformative Power of Interconnectedness in Practices of Personalisation: Simone Visentin University Padova: Fostering participation opportunities for more adult lives: the role of health-care services Both discussants
Impact Multidisciplinary - Education (AC); Social Work and Social Pedagogy (TB); Philosophy, Sociology, Education (SV)
Start Year 2022
 
Description Accessible recruitment website, hosting recruitment video. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact A website was set up to introduce the research project to interested people, including: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; parents and carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; professionals working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The website hosted a recruitment video explaining the research rationale and outlining and demonstrating the participation process in accessible terms. More than 400 visitors have been recorded as visiting the site.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://findingawaytowork.info/home/
 
Description Methods presentation for NCRM 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Memory and Method
Qualitative research methods seminar, collaboration between QUEST (Qualitative Expertise at Southampton), NCRM (National Centre for Research Methods) and SCDTP (South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership)
'Using video to revisit experience: methods to stimulate discussion in qualitative research' (representing the SCDTP)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/video/?id=4922