Item
‘‘I’m Supposed to Be In Charge’’: Self-Advocates’ Perspectives on Their Self-Determination Support Needs
Metadados
Título
‘‘I’m Supposed to Be In Charge’’: Self-Advocates’ Perspectives on Their Self-Determination Support Needs
Descrição
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Autor
Stacy L. Nonnemacher and Linda M. Bambara
Língua
Ano que foi publicado
2011
País de Origem
Tipo de pesquisa
Metodologia
In this qualitative interview study, we explored the perceptions of adults with intellectual disability regarding interpersonal or social supports needed to express their own self-determination. Specifically, 10 adults, all members of a self-advocacy group, were asked to discuss their understanding of the term self-determination and ways in which support staff have either supported or inhibited their self determination. Ten themes characterizing supportive and impeding staff actions were identified.
Amostra
Ten adult self-advocates with intellectual dis ability who were members of one of two self-advocacy groups located in northeast Pennsylvania participat ed. To recruit participants, we asked mentors of the self-advocacy groups who co-facilitated meetings with group members to nominate individuals based on the following inclusion criteria: (a) diagnosis of in tellectual disability as evidenced by the receipt of disability services (e.g., Medicaid Waiver), (b) a min imum of 10 hours of staff support per week from a community, residential, and/or employment service provider, (c) conversational skills necessary to partic ipate in interviews, (d) conceptual understanding of the construct of self-determination observed through group discussions, (e) ability to articulate concerns about events that affect them, and (f) an expressed willingness to participate in the interviews.
Método de Pesquisa
We used one-on-one, in-depth semi-structured interviews to explore the self-advocates’ experiences and perspectives concerning their self-determination. Interviewing individuals with intellectual disability may pose a number of challenges associated with the interviewees: (a) recalling experiences, (b) under standing and responding appropriately to open ended questions (particularly when questions exceed their linguistic abilities), and (c) pleasing the inter viewer with responses that they believe the inter viewer or others want to hear (Biklen & Moseley, 1988; Finlay & Lyons, 2002). Interview procedures were designed to address these challenges.
Principais Descobertas
This study clearly documents that self-determination cannot be viewed outside of social contexts, especially for in dividuals with intellectual disability who must rely on the assistance of others to carry out their will.
Comentário Avaliativo
The need for greater exploration of environmental and social influences on self-determination is emphasized. Future researchers should continue to explore how all supporters, paid and unpaid, can best create inter personal contexts supportive of self-determination and how to change their orientation toward greater support of self-determination through training and development.