Stage One

January-July 2000

Three main research strategies were employed in stage one.

  • A Literature review was understaken in order to provide background information and to identify appropriate organisations to include in the study;

  • Four seminars were held to explain the aims of the research and to elict the support of disabled people and their organisations;

  • The information gleaned from the literature review and seminars formed the basis of the final section of phase one; a survey of all known user-led organisations providing 'independent living' services to disabled people.

    Literature Review
    Relevant information from a variety of secondary sources, including published material, books, journals, disabled people's organisations newslatters, NCIL records as well as internet documents was collected and analysed. The information will provide the basis for a 'History of the Independent Living Movement in the UK and an annotated bibliography of independent living and user-involvement (forthcoming).

    Seminars
    All known CILs and user-led initiatives were contacted and provided with details of the research: rationale, aims and proposed methodologies, as well as an invitation to participate in the seminars and focus groups. Details of the organisations contacted was provided by NCIL (Personal Assistance Support Themes Directory, September 1999) and by BCODP (from their membership data). The participating organisations and the research co-ordinating committee provided additional contacts.

    A total of 75 organisaitons of disabled people were invited to participate in the seminiars, of which 48 sent representatives. All but one of over 50 participants were disabled people and represented a diversity of experience of user-led initiatives.

    Suggested topics by the reserach advisory committee comprised:

  • the role of the social model
  • control and accountability processes
  • finance and employment policies
  • service provision

    Summaries of each seminar were produced and circulated to all participants for comment.
    This summary is available as a PDF file document or a text document

    Survey

    The survey was designed by the research team and approved by the research advisory committee in April 2000. The key issues relating to the form and content of the survey questionnaire were gathered from the literature review and seminars. The questionnaire addressed the following topics:

  • organisational structure
  • wider networks
  • resources
  • activities and services
  • campaigning
  • ambitions

    Copies of the Stage One Report are available as document or as a text document.

    nb. All project documents can also be obtained in a variety of acccessible formats. Please contact Hannah Morgan to request documents in alternative formats.


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