1) National survey on the role of Irish service providers in supporting social inclusion.
Description
How do service providers understand social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities? What are the most effective supports for individuals that they serve?
Republic of Ireland service leaders (CEO’s and service managers) completed a national survey and these two papers offers unique insights into their practice experiences on social inclusion.
Publications
Boland, G., & Guerin, S. (2022). Connecting locally: An examination of the role of service providers in supporting the social inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities in their neighbourhoods. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 19(3), 288– 299.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jppi.12419
Boland, G., & Guerin, S., (2022), Supporting social inclusion in neighbourhoods of adults with intellectual disabilities: Service providers’ practice experiences. Journal of Intellectual Disability (0) 0, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/17446295221085479
2) Do non-disabled siblings have a role in supporting adults with intellectual disabilities to engage in their local area?
https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/3565-2 Photo from personal collection of the Bachooa Sisters, Mauritius- Feranza Bachooa and Ferozia Hosaneea. Reproduced with their kind permission.
Description
Sixteen people shared their life experiences in this multiple case study. This study of eight sibling pairs living in urban, rural and town locations in Ireland offers valuable insights into the natural role that siblings play in supporting their brother or sister to connect locally.
Publication
Boland, G., & Guerin, S., 2021, Connecting locally: The role of adult siblings in supporting the social inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 00, 1-14. http://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12404
Video abstract: https://youtu.be/P1Cg9odbxOk
3) What can we learn from the international research literature about social inclusion when it comes to adults with intellectual disabilities?
Description
This systematic review of the international literature on social inclusion gives insights into the barriers to and facilitators of social inclusion for adults with intellectual disabilities. It also identifies the characteristics of inclusive neighbourhoods.
Publication
Boland, G., de Paor, E., & Guerin, S. (2023). Living in localities: the factors that influence the social inclusion in neighborhoods of adults with intellectual disability. A systematic scoping review. Inclusion, 11(1), 55-77. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-11.1.55
Recent studies completed in partnership with KARE, Service Provider, County Kildare, Ireland.
4) How do individuals with intellectual disabilities experience their neighbourhoods?
Description
Ten people with intellectual disability shared their experiences of social inclusion in their neighbourhoods. They identified the places and people that matters most to them where they live. The neighbourhoods that best support people to make new connections locally were identified. My research Partner in this study was KARE, Service Provider, County Kildare. The study was supported by Anne Marie Potter, Social Inclusion Development, Education and Researcher Officer, members of the KARE Connecting Locally strategy group, Brian Keogh and staff who supported people at each stage, with some acting as communication partners.
5) Does volunteering and local leisure lead to being socially included in your neighbourhood in Ireland?
Description
Adopting a valued social role is beneficial when making new connections locally. This study asked: can natural supporters be fostered, instead of relying on paid staff or family members to support individuals with intellectual disabilities joining a leisure club or becoming local volunteers?
My research Partner in this study was KARE, Service Provider, County Kildare. Anne-Marie Potter, Social Inclusion Development, Education and Researcher Officer at KARE was co-researcher. The study was also supported by members of the KARE Connecting Locally strategy group, Brian Keogh, family members and staff supported people at each stage, with some acting as communication partners.
6) What about accessibility? How can adults with intellectual disabilities be best supported to campaign for accessible public and commercial services within their locality?
Description
This study asked: How accessible are commercial and public services for citizens with intellectual disabilities living in Newbridge town, County Kildare, Ireland? Nine self-advocates completed a self-advocacy course on accessibility. After the course, they became co-researchers and were supported to complete reviews of the shops, leisure and public services that they used most in their local area.
My research Partner in this study was KARE, Service Provider, County Kildare. The full research team included nine self-advocates, Anne-Marie Potter, Social Inclusion Development, Education and Researcher Officer and Ciara Byrne, Senior Speech and Language Therapist. The study was also strongly supported by members of the KARE Connecting Locally strategy group, Brian Keogh and staff who acted as communication partners.
© Geraldine Boland 2023