Life stories of people with intellectual disabilities in modern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430

This book provides a transnational perspective on intellectual disability in the twentieth century with contributions from distinguished authors in 14 countries across 5 continents. Each chapter outlines policies and practice from the featured nation. Life stories illustrate their impact on people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The book brings together accounts of how intellectual disability was viewed, managed and experienced in countries across the globe. It examines the origins and nature of contemporary attitudes, policy and practice; and sheds light on the challenges of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCPRD).


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-37
Author(s):  
Monika Parchomiuk

The article addresses the issue of life stories of people with intellectual disabilities, analysing their importance from an individual and group perspective. The potential of this method was highlighted referring to selected studies of people with intellectual disabilities. Functions designated by Elżbieta Dubas were used as the basis for the analysis. Competences relevant to the implementation of life stories have been considered, taking into account their possible limitations in people with disabilities. The focus was on the properties of cognitive processes, but personality competences were also recognized. Potential difficulties related to implementation in this group were noted and ways of overcoming them were suggested. The usefulness of life stories and life histories for the practice of care and rehabilitation of people with intellectual disabilities has been shown.


Author(s):  
Yueh-Ching Chou

In Taiwan social services for people with intellectual disabilities have been established since 1980 and a movement supporting people to live in the community was launched in 2000. However, deinstitutionalisation has never been a state policy and it has rarely been considered and recognised by parents and service workers. Although Taiwan is not a member of the UN, it passed into law an Implementation Act based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2014. Thus the Taiwan government has a legal responsibility to comply with the CRPD’s general obligations. This chapter firstdescribes the history of people with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan and articulates its historical and political context. Secondly, it narrates the life stories of three citizens with intellectual disabilities to express how their lives, both in institutions and in the community, have been intertwined with wider social, historical and political contexts. The conclusion examines the need for the continuation of advocacy concerning the right to choose where to live for people with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan.


Author(s):  
Owen Barr ◽  
Bob Gates

This chapter is underpinned by the assertion that all people with intellectual disabilities can communicate and may use a wide range of means to do so, including verbal, non-verbal, vocal, and gestural approaches. The behaviour of people with intellectual disabilities is also an important factor in understanding their communication, including behaviours that may be viewed as being a challenge or being of concern. A major problem for many people with intellectual disabilities is having the meaning of their communication understood by other people. This chapter explores the key factors that nurses working with people with intellectual disabilities need to know in relation to effective communication and providing accessible information to people with intellectual disabilities. It provides practical information in the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems, as well as information on communication passports, objects of reference, and compiling life stories.


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