Children with an Intellectual Disability and their Social Support Networks

Michael Browne, Doctoral Fellow with the Child and Family Research Centre and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway is currently undertaking research on Children with an Intellectual Disability and their Social Support Networks. The broad focus of the research is on applying social support, family support and related theories and principles (including civil and human rights, social inclusion and mainstreaming) to services for children with intellectual disabilities in Ireland and their families and developing an evidence-based policy framework accordingly.

The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies will support this research through:

• Access to significant expertise to inform the research in the area of intellectual disabilities and related policies in Ireland both through its engagement with member organisations, people with intellectual disabilities and families, and involvement in research.
• Access to a wide range of contacts in the areas of policy development and service delivery to people with intellectual disabilities to facilitate the research i.e. the establishment of a small research advisory/consultative group to guide the research.
• Providing resource material and links relevant to the proposed study on an ongoing basis.