Thinking Globally Acting Locally: A Personal Journey

Citation

Gore, N. (2013), "Thinking Globally Acting Locally: A Personal Journey", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 104-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595471311315137

Peter Mittler's narrative of his career to date offers a rich and inspiring account of some of the key developments that have driven better support and quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities over the past five decades. Whilst the coverage of these developments alone is highly informative, it is perhaps the detailed and frank, honest telling of the surrounding stories that offers the most useful insights.

Whilst at times such reflections can feel uncomfortably intimate, they serve to contextualise actions and decision making in relation to individual motivations and social and historical frames of reference. We are reminded that the best research studies, service and policy developments do not occur in a vacuum but reflect a commitment to personal and shared values.

During the initial chapters Peter takes the decision to “begin at the beginning” and share memories of his early childhood in Austria, his Jewish ancestry, family life and schooling. It is hard to marry the rise of Nazism and subsequent persecution of Viennese Jews, Peter's early separation from his parents following Kindertransport to England and schooling of variable quality with such an impressive and dynamic later career. There is a message of resilience here but the reader is made acutely aware of how early adversities and lack of early support have the potential to stifle development and aspiration, particularly for the most vulnerable. These are lessons that Peter clearly took forward when working with people with intellectual disabilities from the very start of his career.

Following chapters describe Peter's initial moves towards becoming a clinical psychologist, military service and early academic posts at Birkbeck College before recounting the birth and rapid development of the Hester Adrian Research Centre. Initially directed by Peter at a relatively early stage in his career, the Centre gave rise to a host of applied research projects and professional training programmes to enhance educational and allied services for people with intellectual disabilities, their families and staff groups.

The cataloguing of these achievements is quite overwhelming. At a time when children with intellectual disabilities were considered the sole responsibility of health authorities and typically resided within long stay hospitals, Peter led ground breaking work to foster meaningful educational provision for all.

In the latter half of the book, Peter goes on to describe the expansion of research and consultancy projects around the world (from Lesotho to Hong Kong) and the major roles he has played in national and international policy development and advocacy (presiding for the forerunner of Inclusion International to name but one). Throughout, the struggles and achievements experienced along the way are peppered with memories of others who shared the journey, from well known figures in the field such as (Jack Tizard) to colleagues, friends and students.

Across these spheres of development Peter does not appear to have lost sight of his original aims or values or taken a move towards highbrow theoretical works. Rather, perhaps reflecting some of his earlier life experiences, Peter seems to have maintained a humble stance grounded in some fundamental principles that he demonstrates throughout the book:

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  Personal interest and investment in individuals, families and practitioners at every level.

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  Recognition of the high value and skill in direct forms of support and care giving.

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  The need to develop pragmatic and effective approaches and make them directly accessible to those who need them most.

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  The central importance of linking research, practice and policy.

These are undoubtedly firm foundations on which to base the continuing work that is needed to support people with intellectual disabilities. There is certainly much to be done – hate crimes and abusive practices towards people with intellectual disabilities continue to be an all too common occurrence; few people with intellectual disabilities are able to access employment and children with intellectual disabilities are still frequently required to attend residential schools away from their family homes. Let us however take encouragement from Peter who, though reportedly feeling uncertain of the exact way forward and “under‐qualified for the task at hand” on multiple occasions, was able to roll up his sleeves and make a difference.