First-hand experience of accessible information

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Mander

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on primary research which investigated the first-hand experience of producing and implementing accessible information (AI). Design/methodology/approach – In total, 18 participants were recruited for a qualitative scoping exercise from four distinct sampling groups: adults with learning disabilities; specialist learning disability service staff; mainstream NHS and local authority staff; and speech and language therapists. Each participant took part in a semi-structured focus group or interview which explored their range of skills, knowledge and attitudes relating to AI. Findings – Framework approach to thematic analysis led to three main classifications: ideology of AI, AI practice and the outcomes of delivering AI. First-hand experience varied across the stakeholders, highlighting differences in the operationalisation of national policies and legislation. Originality/value – The data supported the notion of AI as a multifaceted process; although the practice of delivering accessible resources appeared less advanced than accessible resource production.

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Hartley Kean

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Clare Mander’s paper entitled “An investigation of the delivery of health-related accessible information for adults with learning disabilities”. The commentary discusses issues identified by the author in the field of accessible information and, more generally, inclusive communication practice. Design/methodology/approach – This commentary reviews factors which influence the communication accessibility of services and the policy, legislative and economic case for mainstreaming inclusive communication approaches. It highlights diversity in the definition of inclusive communication and the scope of its necessary implementation before proposing an approach to establishing consensus on the way forward. The commentary suggests how the task of mainstreaming inclusive communication throughout public services could be addressed, reflects on progress to date and proposes next steps for the growing numbers of those with an interest. Findings – Many factors influence communication accessibility. The communication attitude, knowledge, skills and resources individual providers and recipients bring to each interaction are as important as the whole organisation’s approach towards and investment in inclusive communication approaches. Legislation, policy, demographics and reducing budgets increase the requirement to mainstream inclusive communication approaches. Achieving this objective is an enormous task. Originality/value – Reflecting on all the drivers and influences on the objective of achieving mainstreamed quality inclusive communication practice throughout public services, the author offers potential suggestions for starting to address this enormous but worthwhile task with a view to generating discussion and collaboration among those with an interest.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Gant

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on “Older carers of people with learning disabilities: their experiences with local authority assessment processes and personnel” written by Rachel Forrester-Jones. Design/methodology/approach This commentary considers the experiences of older carers in the context of research, legislative and policy changes over the past 30+ years. Findings The needs of older carers of adults with learning disabilities are well recognised within the (limited) literature. Less attention has been given to practical strategies to identify and support such carers or to their broader family context. Originality/value This commentary highlights that assessors carrying out carers’ needs assessments should consider whether adults with learning disabilities are providing care to their older relative. The recognition of possible mutual or reciprocal care needs to be acknowledged and appropriate support offered.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle McCarthy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw readers’ attention to the myriad ways to find out about abuse towards people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – Whilst acknowledging the continued importance of research studies specifically focused on the topic of abuse, this commentary reviews information about abuse of adults with learning disabilities from other sources, e.g., through service audits, studies on sexual and personal relationships. Findings – Having many sources of information about abuse against people with learning disabilities is a good thing, but there are some problems associated with this. First, some forms of abuse appear to be easier to find out about than others, and second, the difficult question of how the information can be used to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. Originality/value – This commentary encourages readers to take a broad view of abuse of people with learning disabilities and to use all the knowledge available to support individuals, whilst at the same time demanding social changes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Buell

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Mander's paper on people with learning disabilities’ first-hand experience of accessible information. Design/methodology/approach – The commentary reflects on some of the findings presented by Mander and builds on these, with particular emphasis on what it means to understand information. Findings – Everything from initial product design to building capacity and constructing knowledge requires expertise and attention to detail. Originality/value – There are no easy fix solutions to achieving understanding of information for people who have learning disabilities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Mander

Purpose – People with learning disabilities often require support to fully understand information produced in an accessible format. What happens during the delivery of accessible information (AI) is largely unknown. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation stage of the AI process. Design/methodology/approach – Two community-based learning disability nurses and two people with learning disabilities took part in a non-participant observational study of the naturally occurring conversations that took place during the delivery of health-related AI. Conversation analysis was used to explore both vocal and non-vocal behaviours. Findings – Three clusters of episodes were identified: providing the AI, topic development, and consent. The use of AI appeared to provide a script for the delivery of the information; however, practical considerations of topic development and tailoring resources to the individual were evident. For sensitive conversations the use of shared experience and challenges in judging comprehension were apparent. Contradictory goals in the decision-making process were highlighted, presenting potential ethical dilemmas. Originality/value – The delivery of AI allowed for personalisation and appeared to support understanding; however, this was partly reliant on mutual empathy between the nurse and their client.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-246
Author(s):  
Anna Marriott ◽  
Sue Turner ◽  
Sharon Ashby ◽  
Deborah Rees

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of the screening liaison nurses for adults with learning disabilities employed by Peninsula Community Health. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports on the national situation in regard to cancer screening for people with learning disabilities and explores the barriers which limit their participation in these screening programmes. It describes the screening liaison nurse role and presents case examples of the work they do. Findings – The local screening rates for people with learning disabilities have increased since the creation of this role in 2011. Originality/value – Increasing the uptake of cancer screening by people with learning disabilities is clearly in line with existing national priorities. To the author’s knowledge this is a unique role in this country and the authors propose that other areas would benefit from adopting this model of working.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
Claire Stuart ◽  
Andrew McKeown ◽  
Angela Henderson ◽  
Chloe Trew

Purpose – Learning Disability Statistics Scotland collects information on adults with learning disabilities who are known to local authorities in Scotland and the services they use. The data collection supports national and local government policy making and is focused on monitoring the implementation of learning disability policy. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Individual level data are requested from all 32 local authorities on adults aged 16-17 who are not in full-time education and those aged 18 and over. Annual data guidance is developed in conjunction with local authorities prior to the collection and is issued to standardise the process and manage avoidable error. The collated data are extracted from local authority administrative data and records are provided on each adult regardless of whether they are currently receiving a service. Anonymisation takes place prior to upload and strict guidelines are followed to ensure it is not possible to identify individuals. Findings – The paper provides insights to the project's processes, uses, challenges and future plans. It details the position of the data outputs within a policy context and the role these might play within a broader research agenda. Research limitations/implications – This data includes only adults known to local authority services. Originality/value – The value of the project lies in its strength as a national social care data set comprised of individual level data. This methodology increases the analytical potential of the data set. This paper will be of interest to those interested in data on learning disability and those with an interest in the analytical potential of an individual level national data set.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Hatton

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse trends over time and geographical variation in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications for adults with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach Secondary analysis of national- and local authority-level statistics collected and reported by NHS Digital. Findings There has been a sharp national increase in the number of completed and granted DoLS applications regarding adults with learning disabilities since the 2014 “Cheshire West” Supreme Court judgement, with a greater proportion of completed DoLS applications being granted. There is extreme geographical variation across local authorities in England in the rates at which DoLS applications are being made and granted. Practical implications The extreme variation in DoLS applications regarding adults with learning disabilities is highly unlikely to be a function of differences in mental capacity and living circumstances experienced by adults with learning disabilities across local authorities, and urgent attention needs to be paid to this variation. Originality/value This is the first paper to analyse the geographical variation at local authority level for completed and granted DoLS applications regarding adults with learning disabilities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Christopher Goodey

Purpose This paper aims to look forward to the next generation of policymaking on learning disability and recommends a unitary strategy covering all phases of life including childhood. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the author addresses the policy gap between inclusion in ordinary (“mainstream”) schools and inclusion in ordinary adult life. The author asks why what has been accepted, at least in principle, for the adult two-thirds of the learning disabled population is still contested for the other, younger third. In the following sections, the author summarises the present discrepancy, compares the rights of children in general with those of people with learning disabilities and outlines the rationale for a 0-99 years focus in research and practice on learning disability, and for future government strategy to establish a 0-99 policy. Findings It is in the broad context of a unitary 0-99 years approach that policymaking must in future be addressed. The education of children is key to the success of their adult lives, and makes the policy of educating them together in ordinary schools (i.e. giving them from the start the “ordinary lives” that are the main goal of adult policy) an imperative. Originality/value The need to consider children’s rights in a general sense has not previously been applied to the field of policymaking for adults with learning disabilities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
Lawrence Patterson

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the paper “Specialist community teams for adults with learning disabilities: referrals to a countywide service in England” by Isabel Clare and colleagues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews some themes presented in this paper relating to the practice and management of community teams for adults with learning disability within the context of recent national service initiatives.FindingsThere is a limited literature on the practice, purpose and service caseload management of community teams. Taken in the context of recent national service initiatives, the paper by Clareet al.illustrates the gaps between the way community teams are currently processing demands and how these services will likely need to behave in future.Originality/valueThere is little recent literature examining the purpose of, and management approaches in, community teams and this addition should stimulate some further consideration of how community teams need to adjust to meet changing demands.


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