Choice: what, when and why? Exploring the importance of choice to disabled people

TY - JOUR

T1 - Choice: what, when and why?

T2 - Exploring the importance of choice to disabled people

AU - Rabiee, P

AU - Glendinning, C

PY - 2010/12

Y1 - 2010/12

N2 - Extending choice and control over public services is central to current policies in England. Such policies have immense potential for independence and well-being. However, it is still not clear how disabled people conceptualise choices, what choices are important, for which groups of people, in what areas of life and why. This paper presents findings from the first phase of a longitudinal qualitative study of choice and control over the life-course. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 111 participants including disabled young people with progressive conditions; their parents; adults and older people with fluctuating support needs and those experiencing sudden deterioration in health. The findings suggest that while most people across all study groups wanted to be able to make choices in all areas of their lives, there are significant differences in the importance they attach to specific choices. The findings have implications for service reforms and identify some policy and practice issues that need to be addressed.

AB - Extending choice and control over public services is central to current policies in England. Such policies have immense potential for independence and well-being. However, it is still not clear how disabled people conceptualise choices, what choices are important, for which groups of people, in what areas of life and why. This paper presents findings from the first phase of a longitudinal qualitative study of choice and control over the life-course. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 111 participants including disabled young people with progressive conditions; their parents; adults and older people with fluctuating support needs and those experiencing sudden deterioration in health. The findings suggest that while most people across all study groups wanted to be able to make choices in all areas of their lives, there are significant differences in the importance they attach to specific choices. The findings have implications for service reforms and identify some policy and practice issues that need to be addressed.

KW - disabled people

KW - older people

KW - choice and control

KW - public services

KW - independence and well-being

KW - CARE

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78649340891&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/09687599.2010.520896

DO - 10.1080/09687599.2010.520896

M3 - Article

SN - 0968-7599

VL - 25

SP - 827

EP - 839

JO - Disability & Society

JF - Disability & Society

IS - 7

ER -