Race Equality Foundation - Research
Black and minority ethnic disabled D/deaf young black people's views of independence and independent living
Background
There has been a growth in studies looking at disabled peoples' experiences of independent living, some of which also examined the experience of black disabled people. However, gaps in our knowledge persist. There is little information about young black disabled people and their experience of independent living. Additionally, there is little information on any support or services provided by the black communities themselves to this group of people.
This project set out to investigate these issues and develop effective strategies for supporting young black people to live independently.
What we did
The aims of this study were:
- to investigate the experience of young black disabled people of independent living;
- to investigate young black disabled peoples' views on the concept of independent living;
- to use information from this research to develop better practice in social care agencies working with young black disabled people.
Findings
Interviews were undertaken with 45 black disabled people between the ages of 16 and 25 in three contrasting areas where black communities are represented in significant numbers. Themes derived from the interviews were: the idea of independence, how race, culture and religion affect the understanding of disability and independence, how experiences of education and work influence independence. The study gave an insight into the ambitions and expectations the young people have for the future based on their experiences and how family and social services influenced them developing independent adult lives.
Outputs
There are three outputs from this work:
A research report Between ambition and achievement: Young black disabled people views and experiences of independence and independent living.
This available from REU. Contact Bendu Walker on 020 7619 6220 or download the publications order form in the publications page of the website.
A summary Findings is available to download from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Independence for young black disabled people (Issue 18): A Plain Facts summary produced for people with learning difficulties is available from Noray Fry Research Centre on 0117 331 0987.
For further information about this work contact Tracey Bignall on 020 7619 6225 or email tracey@racefound.org.uk
Useful Race Equality Foundation publications
- Different Paths: challenging services, by Jabeer Butt and Sukhwant Dhaliwall
- Something to do by Tracey Bignall, Jabeer Butt and Deepa Pagarani
- Discussion paper 7: Family support for parents and families with additional needs by Tracey Bignall, Leandra Box and Sharon Otoo
- Discussion paper 5: Supporting black and minority ethnic young people by Leandra Box, Tracey Bignall and Isabella Bedi
Click here to see all Race Equality Foundation publications.