Empowerment in services – A Qualitative Research Project

Year: 2007

Author(s): Eileen Costello-Conneely, Service Quality Manager, Ability West, Galway

Organisation (Department): Ability West

Keywords: self advocacy, training, choice, opportunities, rights, empowerment

(01 Dec 2007)

Empowerment in services – A Qualitative Research Project
Has the involvement by a group of people with intellectual disability in a self advocacy group been effective in supporting the service users to exercise their rights and have greater empowerment?

Year:  2007

Author(s):  Eileen Costello-Conneely, Service Quality Manager, Ability West, Galway

Abstract: Self advocacy can be described as ‘speaking up’, ‘voicing one’s opinions’, ‘being empowered’. Many people are now involved in self advocacy groups and are practicising skills in self advocacy.

The aim of this study can be summed up as follows – Is self advocacy for five people who are involved in a self advocacy group effective in empowering them? Was the training effective? Are people exercising their rights? It is important to answer these questions so that lessons can be learned for the future in supporting people with self advocacy skills.

A qualitative approach was taken for the research with the participants involved in a focus group as a method of collecting the information. There were five people involved - all receiving a day service and also live in group homes. They are all involved in a self advocacy group for the past two years at their day centre through a pilot project on advocacy.

Firstly, the findings confirm that self advocacy training helped the five people to acquire greater skills and confidence in speaking up, and all showed a greater sense of self worth and expression.

The five people who were involved in the self advocacy group, in general, felt more empowered and could vocalise their choices more, thus a sense of empowerment was emerging.

However, there were examples of disempowering practices evident with regard to people speaking up and at times not being supported or given the power to actually exercise those rights, and there appeared to be a gap in awareness of self advocacy between day and residential centre which limited such opportunities for people.

The inclusion of people in major service developments is seen as a positive step in empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities, giving people their rightful voice in future developments and plans.

Training is crucial for service users and staff in the areas of self advocacy and this would go some way to shifting the balance of power.
There are challenges ahead for organisations in supporting this shift in empowering people with disabilities to voice their opinions and live the lives they want for themselves.

Accessible summary also available.
Organisation (Department): Ability West
Keywords: self advocacy, training, choice, opportunities, rights, empowerment
Journal:  Part of studies – B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Social Studies (Disabilities)



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