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Reflections on being a first generation self-advocate: belonging, social connections, and doing things that matter

Version 2 2024-06-13, 06:45
Version 1 2023-10-26, 03:21
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-13, 06:45 authored by P Frawley, C Bigby
Background Despite good policy intentions, people with intellectual disability continue to be socially excluded. Social geographers suggest the potential of self-authored spaces as catalysts for social inclusion. One such space, self-advocacy, is commonly perceived as part of a political movement for social change rather than a vehicle for social inclusion of its members. This paper investigated what involvement in self-advocacy has meant to long-term members of a self-advocacy group in Victoria, Australia. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 self-advocates about their reflections on involvement in the group. These data together with the commentary of 5 self-advocates during interviews with 18 self-advocacy supporters about their recollections of involvement in the group were transcribed and analysed thematically. Findings Through their involvement in self-advocacy, members of the group had gained a sense of belonging, social connections, and purposeful occupation, which included paid project work, lobbying, and organisational leadership and management. Conclusions This study suggests that self-advocacy groups can be places that foster social inclusion, potentially offering “membership” of an exclusive group, a wider social movement and of mainstream society.

History

Journal

Journal of intellectual and developmental disability

Volume

40

Pagination

254-264

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

1366-8250

eISSN

1469-9532

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article, C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2015, Taylor & Francis

Issue

3

Publisher

Taylor & Francis