Data analyzes in a disability studycourse in university education

for people with learning disabilities

Ólafur Snævar AðalsteinssonEmbla Rún Hakadóttir

Guðrún V. Stefánsdóttir

Overview

University education for people with learning disabilitiesDisability studies – course

Data analyzes Research on Living

Conditions of Older People with Disabilities

Diploma program for people with learning disabilities at the University

• A two years semi profssional program started in 2007 at the University of Iceland, within the School of Education, division of Social Education

• Inclusive education – the diploma students are not in a special education – they are studying with other students, in the same courses at the univesity

• Two groups have graduated (2009 and 2011); 38 students

• The third group who began their studies in the autumn term of 2011, are graduating in June 2013 (17)

Disability studies

• Diploma students and B.A. students in social education study together

• Share the contents of the course

• Evaluation of the course: inclusive research

Inclusive research

Small work groups

Examples of projects

– Friendship in pre-schools

– Employment and disability

– Coffee shop project– Living in group homes– Independent living– Life-history work– Older people with

disabilities

Analyzing data together

• The students in the disability – studies course learn research methods and to analyze data

• Method:– Participatory research – inclusive research – Social histories - Cartoon conversations (Carol

Grey)– Based on three known cartoon converstation

forms – We use balloons to analyze the conversation:

Talk-balloons, thought - balloons and emotion - balloons

ExampleLife-history research

• Research question:– What have two women of

the same age in common, one with learning disability and the other without?

– They started to interview each other and tape recorded the conversations

– Then they analyzed the data together and used the cartoon balloons

– Find themes

From life-history conversation

Hildur: We should be aware of the rights of disabled people, don‘t you think so?Sigurbjörg: I agree, I don‘t like when disabled pepole are treated badly, It is not right, every one should be equal, I really belive that.Hildur: People with Down syndrome are somtimes called mongolids, I don‘t like that, It is not right. It hurts when you are called a mongolid, it make me sad.Sigurbjörg: I can very well understand that. That is not fear.Hildur: Do you have childrenSigurbjörg: Yes. Do you know I had a three years old twin daughters, one with disability and another without. The one with disability died last year. Thats why I am studying social pedagogy and I think I can maybe understand your feelings better because of my experience.Hildur: so, so sad you must be sad to loose your daughter. Have you a photo of her? Did you know that I have a twin sister, she is not with disability and we are very good friends.Sigurbjörg: Is it realy! My youngest sisters are also twins –we have a lot in common. We should take photos of our families with us next time. What about your family? I saw your mother with you yesterday.Hildur: We are very good friends and she is a nurse, what about yours?Sigurbjörg: No it can‘t be true, mine too. Hildur: I really like children but people like me don‘t have children, I think that is unfair

People with Down syndrome are somtimes

called mongolids

Not in common: different life-span

Hildur in special education until she started at

the University

In common: Hildur is a twin and Sigurbjörg had

twin sisters and daughters, one with disability

and the other without.

Mothers are nurses - Both play piano – have

been rewarded for swimming – Both students at

the University

Lot in common, understandeach other betterBe aware of the rights of disabled peoplePeople should not be called mongolidPeole should be equal

Sad loosing her

daughter

Understand each other

Unfaire: people with

or without disability

are not equal

Dissapointed

Happy we have a lot in

commonAngry being called mongo

Emotion-Balloon

Talk-Balloon Thought-Balloon

Research on Living Conditions of Older People with Disability

Researchers: Dagný, Embla, Ólafur and Þórey

Research question:

What makes older people with disability happy with their living

conditions?

Interviews

• We visited a home for elderly people and a neighbourhood for blind people

• We did the interviews in the people’s homes

• Saw how they lived

• The interviews went well

Talk - Balloon

Location was good

Part of the staff were immigrants that didn‘t

speak Icelandic

Access was often bad

and difficult to get

around

Some got support 24/7 but some had to rely on family members for help

Thought - Balloon

I won‘t complainWow, great help!

I dont speak the same language as my assistant

The apartment is not designed for

me…

Emotion- Balloon

Confused

Insecure

Happy

Sad

DissapointedAngry

Relieved

Glad

Results

What people found important:

–Location–Staff –Support –Access

– Aðgengi– Staff– Support

– Staðsetning

MY WISH Poems and Pictures on Happiness

of Older People with Disability

Location

Where do I want to be?In a good place,

Somewhere near the centre.With view to all directions.

Staff

The staff usually Does a good job.

If they want their salary They must do their best.

Support

The staff runs around Cleaning.

The people with disability Are thankful. See you later!

Access

Access is important For people with disabilities

So they can get around All day long.

Thank you!