Synopses & Reviews
What does it mean to live a good life? Why has it proved so difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to live one? What happens when we make a good life the centre of our consideration of people with intellectual disabilities? These questions are explored through a re-examination of ideas from philosophy and social theory, and through personal life stories. This important and timely book provides an analysis and critique of current policies and underpinning ideologies in relation to people with intellectual disabilities and explores ways in which a good life may be made more attainable.
Review
This book challenges current ideas on what constitutes a 'good enough' life for people with intellectual disabilities and proposes new ideas on how to make a truly 'good life' possible. Dorothy Atkinson, The Open University
Review
If you need to be challenged to reflect on what 'a good life' should mean for people with intellectual disabilities this book is an excellent place to begin that quest. Gordon Grant, Emeritus Professor, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Sheffield Hallam University
Synopsis
This book takes as its starting point the concept of 'the good life' and the challenge of ensuring people with intellectual disabilities are included in 'the good life.' The book explores the values underpinning current discourses of disability, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and proposes some alternative approaches to theory and practice. It deconstructs key concepts, theories, and practices within the learning disability field in the post institution era, and it identifies the values, strengths, and limits of these approaches. The book explores the boundaries around those included in the category 'disabled,' those on its margins, and those who move in and out of this category. It also proposes some alternative formulations to existing theories and practices, and explores their practical implications for the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Using evidence from the UK, Australia, Bangladesh, and the Republic of Ireland, People with Intellectual Disabilities bu
Synopsis
What does it mean to have a good life? Why has it proved so difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to live one? This important book explores these questions, provides an analysis of related policies and underpinning ideologies and looks to how a good life may be made more attainable.
About the Author
Jan Walmsley is visiting professor of leadership and workforce development at London South Bank University and visiting professor in the history of learning disability at the Open University.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction: exploring a good life
Part One: Reflecting on a good life
1. My own life (by Marie Wolfe with Kelley Johnson)
2. Thinking about a good life
3. A good life and people with intellectual disabilities
Part Two: Re-examining key concepts in the light of current practice
4. A good life in policy
5. Changing problems, changing solutions
6. Changing constructions of work
Part Three: Rethinking a good life
7. Justice, rights and capabilities
8. Community, inclusion and belonging
9. Promoting a good life
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index