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Disability policy in Australia and the United Kingdom: Implications for people with learning disabilities
Thesis   Open access

Disability policy in Australia and the United Kingdom: Implications for people with learning disabilities

Anouska Storey
Honours, Murdoch University
2014
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Whole Thesis Open Access

Abstract

Australia and the UK have recently released disability policies, in an environment of increasing economic pressure and international focus on the rights of people with disabilities. Whilst both countries have many similar characteristics and are subject to many common global influences, processes to support people with learning disabilities to make decisions, developed differently in each country. Choice and control significantly improves a person with learning disabilities’ participation and decreases depression and challenging behaviour (DWP, 2013, p. 56). It is challenging to ensure these benefits are enacted at a policy level for some of the most vulnerable people with learning disabilities. The complexity is increased when dominant disability constructs, that are drawn on to inform policymaking, concentrate on the needs of people with physical and sensory impairments. This project will critically examine influences on policy decision making and how the prevailing focus on choice may disadvantage some people with learning disabilities. The value of advocacy is well documented. However, people with learning disabilities are still disadvantaged. Further research into how advocacy developed differently in the UK and Australia would give a deeper understanding of a broad range of strategies to help mitigate these inequalities.

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This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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