Search

Abstract People with intellectual disabilities have few opportunities to actively participate in research affecting programs and policies. Employment of participatory action research has been recommended. Although use of this approach with people who have intellectual disabilities is growing, articles on specific participatory research methods are rare. Photovoice is a participatory method often used with underrepresented groups and is effective for engaging people with intellectual disabilities in research or program development. A literature review is presented for use with this population as is a description of Photovoice as a participatory research tool for engaging people with intellectual disabilities. An example of a participatory study among people with intellectual disabilities is provided. Benefits and challenges of employing Photovoice with this population are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on the life course studies of siblings with developmental disabilities. The sibling relationship constitutes the longest lasting family tie, beginning with the birth of the younger sibling and ending with the death of one member of the sibling pair. Siblings share a common family heritage, both genetically and experientially, and perhaps for this reason, the sibling relationship is normatively characterized as egalitarian, reciprocal, and mutual. In addition, there may be less genetic and experiential similarity between members of the sib-pair and less egalitarianism and reciprocal exchange due to unequal abilities and patterns of life course outcomes. However, there may also be greater continuity in contact across the life course when the sibling has a developmental disability. A growing body of research on adult sibling relationships when one individual has a developmental disability suggests that, in general, these siblings tend to maintain high levels of involvement across the life course, although there is variability in the degree of contact and closeness.

Presents information on the sense of happiness, well-being and character strengths in people with disabilities. Fact that breaking tradition with the usual focus on what is wrong with these people, the growing field of positive psychology instead asks what contributes to people doing well and being happy; Fact that positive psychology aims to more fully understand such positive states as hope, gratitude, satisfaction, flow, engagement, virtues, purpose, and meaning; Information on the researchers examining the families of children with mental retardation who have long assumed a psychopathological orientation.

Research shows that self-determination and the right to make life choices are key elements for a meaningful and independent life. Yet, older adults and people with disabilities are often placed in overly broad and restrictive guardianships, denying them their right to make daily life choices about where they live and who they interact with, their finances, and their health care. Supported decision-making (SDM)--where people use trusted friends, family members, and professionals to help them understand the situations and choices they face, so they may make their own decisions--is a means for increasing self-determination by encouraging and empowering people to make decisions about their lives to the maximum extent possible. This article examines the implications of overly broad guardianship and the potential for supported decision-making to address such circumstances. It introduces the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making as one means to advance the use of supported decision-making and increase self-determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]