Research Findings: people with learning disabilities & employment Dan Goodley Katherine Runswick-Cole Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

The research found that… After a period of sustained austerity, people with learning disabilities are ‘differentially precarious’ – they are experiencing more cuts with greater impact than the general population Job opportunities are under increasing threat. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

The research found that… Where effective support is available, the number of people getting jobs rises. Supported employment services using evidence based practices and processes get better outcomes with supported internship programmes that link these with large local employers being especially effective. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

The research found that… Disabled people with learning disabilities are living with an almost overwhelming sense of uncertainty job seekers are unsure how to get a job; support workers are unsure if their own job is secure; providers are faced with the seemingly endless cuts administered via local authorities. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

Using stories … Narrative research Life Story research Qualitative research Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

Bogdan, R., & Taylor, S. J. (1976). The judged, not the judges: An insider's view of mental retardation. American Psychologist, 31(1), Sparkes, A. (2007) `Embodiment, Academics, and the Audit Culture: A Story Seeking Consideration', Qualitative Research 7(4): Johnson, K. E. & Golombek, P. R. (2002). Inquiry into experience: Teachers’ personal and professional growth. In K. E. Johnson & P. R. Golombek (Eds.). Teachers’ narrative inquiry as professional development. (pp. 1-14) NY: Cambridge University Press. Goodley, D., Lawthom, R., Clough, P. and Moore, M. (2004). Researching Life Stories: Method, Theory and Analyses in a Biographical Age. London: Routledge Falmer Press. Plummer, K. (1983). Documents of Life: An Introduction to the Problems and Literature of a Humanistic Method. London: George Allen & Unwin.

Questions Think of a story about school, university or learning? What is a story? Why are stories of learning important? * Tell your partner a story of learning, a day in school, a not so good or good teacher, a moment of excellence in education 3 minutes in pairs

Stories are … Stories are ways of making sense of the wordy nature of life: Interviews, observations, stories, life histories, documents, secondary material, actions, talk, written text All rich and shot through with meanings (psychological and political)

Stories are … ‘Ask not what is inside your head, but what your head is inside of’ (Gibson) Society, the social world, relationships, meanings, unconscious, places, spaces Society stories individual A wordy, storied, meaningful, complex world Collections of words and meanings:

Four stories from the project Robin is in his thirties. He is very interested in local history and art. He is very active in the self-advocacy movement. He lives with his grandmother and has extended support from other members of his family in a small town in the south-west of England. Robin has two jobs. He works in retail at a local supermarket two days a week. He has worked there for fifteen years. Robin is also self-employed and runs a small business. Robin is a talented artist and is a ‘conference facilitator’. He uses images to support the spoken word and text at meetings and conferences. He does not simply provide direct representations, but his artwork provides a level of interpretation to support understanding. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

Maria is in her forties, she lives with her mum and dad in a city in the south-west of England. Maria is a keen gardener. Maria has two jobs. She works two days a week at a drama group running drama workshops with a group of young people with learning disabilities as well as performing herself. She takes part in performances for practitioners teaching them about a range of topics that affect people with learning disabilities including: how to listen well, independence and sex, relationships and parenting. On Fridays, Maria works at a cleaning company. The company is a social enterprise run by and employing people with learning disabilities. Maria has been involved in the company since it started in She is a company director. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

Poppy is in her twenties, she lives with her parents in a city in the south-west of England. She enjoys music and dancing and being part of her church community. Poppy has just completed a supported internship with the city council. She is still volunteering at two of her work placements – a café and a baby music session – but she has yet to find paid work. The rest of her week is made up of horse riding and volunteering at the local food bank with her father. She has had three job coaches since she completed her supported internship. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com

Sunshine is in her thirties and lives in supported living in a city in the south-west of England. Sunshine arrived in the UK with her family when she was fifteen. Sunshine loves buying and selling goods at local markets. Sunshine has two jobs. She works as a cleaner two days a week for a local charity and she works at a café for one day a week. Sunshine is planning to move house so that she can live in her own flat with on call support. She would like to earn more money and to have one job. Big Society? Disabled people with learning disabilities & civil society bigsocietydis.wordpress.com