Acknowledgements I would like to thank the South Wales parent’s network who gave time at their meetings to comment on various aspects of the process of this study. Especially members from the Pembrokeshire Parent’s group and RCT People First, who gave specific advice on accessibility. All the parents who shared their stories with a great generosity. Sometimes the retelling of their stories was painful for them but they stayed with it as they want to improve things for all parents. The parents I met on my journeys who shared their stories with me, but didn’t want to be included in the study – they inspired me. The professionals I met who have given their time, thoughts and ideas. Supervisors Professor Kathy Lowe and Dr Stuart Todd who helped me through various mazes. Chris O’Connor for his support with the assessment tool. Jim Crowe, Simon Rose, Rebecca Watkins, Nicola Pepper, Kai Jones and Karen Warner at Learning Disability Wales for supporting, offering their perceptions and sometimes just listening to me trying to make sense of everything I was hearing. All at Torfaen People First, but especially Jean Francis, for giving me office space and putting up with me wandering round muttering darkly. And finally the Welsh Assembly Government for funding this work. Joyce Howarth (Researcher and Report Author) Learning Disability Wales would like to thank Joyce Howarth and all involved in this research and report. 2009 Learning Disability Wales 41 Lambourne Crescent Cardiff Business Park Llanishen Cardiff CF14 5GG 029 20681160
[email protected] www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk Contents Chapter 1: The context ........................................................................................