The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Cameron and Matthews’ paper “More than pictures: developing an accessible resource”.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Cameron and Matthews’ paper “More than pictures: developing an accessible resource”.
Design/methodology/approach
It reflects on how much people with learning disabilities are involved in research and resource development and how the attitudes of caregivers impact on how people learn about sexuality.
Findings
Most published research is written by people who do not have learning disabilities but people with learning disabilities are taking part in research and they are making changes to the way things happen. Parents, educators and caregivers are often reluctant to discuss sexuality with people with learning disabilities and this affects how much people can understand about it.
Originality/value
This paper argues for greater involvement of people with learning disabilities in research processes.
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In discussing some of the issues arising from the article by Angela Olsen and Catherine Carter, the purpose of this paper is to draw readers’ attention to the various support…
Abstract
Purpose
In discussing some of the issues arising from the article by Angela Olsen and Catherine Carter, the purpose of this paper is to draw readers’ attention to the various support needs women with learning disabilities may have.
Design/methodology/approach
Critical analysis based on review of literature and the author’s research and practice-based experience.
Findings
Women with learning disabilities have similar support needs to other women who have experienced violence and abuse. However, in order to get their needs met, they need access to information, support from professionals and to share experiences with other women.
Originality/value
This commentary encourages readers to view the abuse of women with learning disabilities in a broad social context and to use all the knowledge available to protect and empower individuals, whilst at the same time demanding social changes to end discrimination and abuse.
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Angela Olsen and Michael Ravey
This paper aims to provide a commentary on the previous paper in this issue on “The development of a sex offender assessment and treatment service within a Community Learning…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a commentary on the previous paper in this issue on “The development of a sex offender assessment and treatment service within a Community Learning Disability Team (the SHEALD project): part 2”.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors consider the nature of traditional service delivery for people with learning/intellectual disabilities and the potential that services have for the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of these vulnerable people.
Findings
The authors argue that effective community based treatment/support is best delivered in a way that acknowledges and employs the range of skills offered by practitioners from health and social care backgrounds.
Originality/value
Both SHEALD and HIST are examples of community treatment programmes which show that a person‐centred approach supported by a dedicated and consistent team of practitioners may be an effective way of addressing complex, high‐risk behaviours.
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Services for offenders who have learning disabilities are generally provided in secure and medium secure units. These services are often provided in segregated and congregated…
Abstract
Services for offenders who have learning disabilities are generally provided in secure and medium secure units. These services are often provided in segregated and congregated settings using therapeutic interventions. This paper presents a case study of a housing‐based service provided within the community, based on developing valued social roles for vulnerable people.In 2003 the then Labour government in the UK sought to align all of the state benefits paid to people who were not in work due to disability and other disadvantages. The resulting ‘transitional housing benefit’ integrated housing benefit and other support grants, with the aim of providing vulnerable people and service providers with a single point of reference when it came to the funding of accommodation and support. The service is based on the principle of normalisation (Wolfensberger, 1972; Tyne & O'Brien, 1981), the theory of social role valorisation (SRV) (Wolfensberger & Thomas, 1983; Wolfensberger et al, 1996; Race, 1999) and O'Brien's Framework for Accomplishment (O'Brien, 1987) and provides a credible alternative to more traditional approaches.The paper provides a critical introduction to SRV and O'Brien's Framework and how their principles have been used to support people with complex needs. It discusses some of the structures and attitudes prevalent in society or, as Wolfensberger calls them, the ‘domains’ and ‘major channels’ by which people with learning disabilities are oppressed.The case study includes examples of practice and shows some interesting differences in patterns of referral and destination routes for males and females and concludes with some implications for practice.
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– The purpose of this paper is to reflect on “Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review”.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on “Narrative therapy in a learning disability context: a review”.
Design/methodology/approach
This commentary reflects on the use of Narrative therapy and considers it in the wider context of assisting people with learning disabilities to develop self-understanding. The commentary makes connections between the use of Narrative therapy and narrative approaches to research reporting.
Findings
The use of Narrative therapy can assist in the development of positive personal stories for individuals with learning disabilities. Case study research provides a useful reference point from which to develop future work. Reporting of case studies sometimes omits data that might be useful for others attempting to replicate findings.
Originality/value
This paper highlights the need for authors to ensure that the “small details” are included in research reporting. A narrative approach, rich in detail of research participants might enable authors to tell a “thicker” story, thus improving generalisability.
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Angela Olsen and Catherine Carter
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a project that explored why mainstream rape support services are still failing to meet the needs of women with learning disabilities…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss a project that explored why mainstream rape support services are still failing to meet the needs of women with learning disabilities. Principles of co-production and action learning enabled a group of women, including women with learning disabilities, to share knowledge and skills and develop easy-read information leaflets.
Design/methodology/approach
The project included representatives from a university, a third sector organisation and a rape crisis centre. Action learning methods were used to bring together a broad range of experience and expertise. The project was co-led by a woman with a learning disability and a lecturer in social work with people with learning disabilities.
Findings
Three organisations had been toiling with a similar issue, that of responses to women with learning disabilities who had been raped. All had previously examined the problem from their own perspectives. An action learning process enabled them to explore the issues from a range of experiences, sharing knowledge and expertise and enabling them to begin to develop better service responses. While co-production may highlight competing priorities in and between organisations, it can also provide the means of managing these tensions.
Social implications
The project demonstrated the importance of co-production. Working together led to a shared understanding of the barriers experienced by women with learning disabilities who experience rape and of the challenges faced by workers who aim to support them. This shared understanding enabled the action learning set to develop bespoke training and literature.
Originality/value
The project demonstrates the importance of working with people with learning disabilities in order to develop services that truly meet their needs.
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Mehmet Ali Koseoglu, Rob Law and Ismail Cagri Dogan
This paper aims to investigate the social structure of strategic management research in the hospitality management field to determine whether a strong social structure is needed…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the social structure of strategic management research in the hospitality management field to determine whether a strong social structure is needed and, if so, how this structure can be enriched within the hospitality field.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,652 articles related to hospitality strategic management published in leading hospitality and tourism as well as business journals were analyzed using co-authorship analysis combined with social network analysis.
Findings
The study’s findings demonstrate a progressive growth in collaboration. Leading authors, institutions and countries in the collaboration networks are identified. Network analysis shows that the ties in the network are too weak to build a strong social identity, although the community is broad.
Practical implications
This study provides solutions for building a strong social identity related to strategic management in the hospitality field. Moreover, this study helps leaders and managers, who need to know whom to speak to within academia to get industry-based advice, as well as scholars, junior researchers and graduate students, who must recognize the individuals producing knowledge in the academic field, to identify the key actors within the field.
Originality/value
As one of the first studies in this field, this research discusses why a strong social identity is necessary and how it can be built further while also looking at the potential for expansion in future studies.