Family Advocacy

In pursuit of the Holy Grail

The author wrote this article in 1990 after encountering bitter debates in Canada about what constitutes real brokerage. He argues that 'pure brokerage' probably does not (and cannot) exist - pure individualised funding, no vested interests, simple elements which are probably beyond our powers.

Living in the real world

This article describes the struggle of June Maelzer, an English woman who has cerebral palsy and needs 24 hour care, to live independently with real freedom, choice and self-respect. Her first flat was the result of help from friends and a precarious support system.

The dignity of risk

Robert Perske is an ally of people with disabilities in the U. S. A. He and his wife, Martha, collaborated on two major reports to U. S. presidents; one to President Carter and one to President Nixon.

A rose by any other name: Would it smell as sweet?

This brief article acknowledges the recognition that, when speaking of individuals with disabilities, it is important to acknowledge their personhood first and their disability second.

Parental stresses and integration

The Canadian author, Sarah Gray, is a mother of a child who has a disability. Gray recently attended an inservice for school staff to present a talk on the stresses parents face when fighting for inclusive schooling ("integration" here means "inclusive").

Using a social guide to improve social relationships of people with severe disabilities

The paper describes a program, used by three women living in a community based apartment, to develop social relationships within the community.

Interpersonal skills for effective collaboration

This is a very brief article but it manages to cover in some detail the skills required by a group of people to work together collaboratively in a team and the necessity of having these skills to be effective as a team. Keyword: Community development

Reproductive Technology: A Rights Issue

The author includes in her definition of New Reproductive Technology: abortion, contraception, amniocentesis, genetic screening, cloning, in vitro fertilisation, alternative insemination, sperm banks and storage of frozen sperm, genetic engineering, artificial wombs and techniques for determining the sex of the fetus.

Parents with intellectual disabilities: Facts, fallacies and professional responsibilities

Gwynnyth Llewellyn, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Sydney examines research on parenthood for people who have disabilities to clarify the facts and fallacies of commonly held opinions.

Controversy over facilitated communication: Severe communication impairment

Doug Biklen, Director of the Facilitated Communication Institute at Syracuse University, USA, explains facilitated communication, an alternative to speech for many people who do not speak or whose speech is highly limited.

We work with families in NSW to defend and promote the rights and interests of people with developmental disability

Search Results

In pursuit of the Holy Grail

Living in the real world

The dignity of risk

A rose by any other name: Would it smell as sweet?

Parental stresses and integration

Using a social guide to improve social relationships of people with severe disabilities

Interpersonal skills for effective collaboration

Reproductive Technology: A Rights Issue

Parents with intellectual disabilities: Facts, fallacies and professional responsibilities

Controversy over facilitated communication: Severe communication impairment