Session Information
04 SES 09 B, Policy and the Perspectives of Students, Teachers and Parents
Paper Session
Time:
2009-09-30
10:30-12:00
Room:
NIG, HS B
Chair:
Hermina Gunnthorsdottir
Contribution
The paper is based on an extensive research into how Icelandic parents perceive of formal and informal support to a disabled child over a 35 years, a period of significant socio-economic and social policy changes, and how these affect family life and choices. The main theoretical frame is social constructionism, but poststructuralism and social capital theories are also applied. The study is qualitative, involving 65 families with disabled children, youth and young adults, borne 1974 to 2007. The research focuses on parents of children labelled significantly disabled (with intellectual, physical, or sensory impairment) in an era of significant changes in Icelandic policy and practice. The parents come from different geographical locations, and from different educational, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds. The findings suggest a amongst other things, that parents access to and engagement with social capitals, affects their identity construction and self image, their sense of quality of life, and decisions taken on behalf of their families and disabled child on the amount and mix of formal and informal support in generic and segregated special settings. Further the growing maize of service and support options provide obstacles and frustration to the parents, particularly the younger parents.
Method
Expected Outcomes
References
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