Policy in Scotland, as in the rest of the U.K, aims to enable people with learning disabilities to access the same opportunities as other citizens. This thesis explores the meanings and experiences of citizenship and inclusion in the lives of people who challenge services the most, whether because of profound impairment, vulnerability or perceived risk to others. Case studies were conducted with 14 individuals with learning disabilities who were assessed as needing at least one-to-one support in their day centre or supported living setting, or who were considered difficult to discharge from long-stay hospital. Through interviews and observations I sought to identify the barriers to and safeguards of inclusion in their daily lives. Perspectives on the issues affecting service provision were obtained through telephone interviews with commissioners in 28 out of 32 local authorities in Scotland, conducted at the time of ‘The same as you?’ review. I argue that the notion of the rights-bearing citizen should be extended to embrace vulnerability, differences in capacity and the need for advocacy in order to develop practices that do not systematically marginalise some people within a new normalcy of active citizenship. I also reflect on my own learning about the conduct of inclusive research from working with study participants with high support needs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:513312 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Curtice, Lisa |
| Publisher | University of Glasgow |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://theses.gla.ac.uk/1902/ |
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