Background: Internationally, people with intellectual disability are socially marginalized, and their rights under the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are often ignored. Aims: This paper aims to define the key concerns of adults with an intellectual disability in relation to their participation in…

In this qualitative interview study, we explored the perceptions of adults with intellectual disability regarding interpersonal or social supports needed to express their own self-determination. Specifically, 10 adults, all members of a self-advocacy group, were asked to discuss their understanding of the term "self-determination" and ways in…

A phenomenological methodology was used to explore the lived experiences of belonging to a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities. Thirteen persons with intellectual disabilities who attend three self-advocacy day centre based groups in a city in the west of Ireland were the sample identified for the study. Changes affected…

This article recounts the life-story of one man who was "diagnosed" as intellectually disabled in the early 1960s. It details the time he spent in a special residential school in the Irish Republic after acquiring this label and outlines the bullying and abuse he experienced. It includes his struggle as an adult to come to terms with his…

This study reports the friendship experiences and aspirations of adults with intellectual disabilities. The findings of a larger study were reviewed by an expert group of self-advocates with intellectual disability. The expert group confirmed some of the interpretation of the original data and expanded on issues. Friendship is established as an…

Four recommendations are provided for developing self-advocacy in individuals with mental retardation, to support national and local advocacy organizations. Guidelines include making specific and concrete recommendations, expressing one's needs, appreciating all stakeholders' limits, and appreciating that change is often slow. (PB)

Suggestions are provided for mental retardation service providers interested in closer cooperation with the self-advocacy movement. Tips emphasize sharing information, establishing local self-advocacy groups, encouraging convention participation, encouraging staff involvement, listening to consumers, and listening to the voices of the…

Interviews with 22 adults with mental retardation suggest that, although they and other individuals with mental retardation have participated in various roles in research and training, there are many barriers to meaningful consumer involvement (such as professional jargon) and there is a need to bring out individuals' strengths and capabilities.…

Reviews attributes and elements identified in the literature for promoting the self-determination and self-advocacy of people with disabilities, and the relationship between self-determination and self-advocacy and effective leadership. Recommendations to increase focus and attention on the leadership development of people with developmental…

Traces the history of civil rights, disability rights, and self advocacy of people with developmental disabilities and autism. The need for future self-determination efforts to develop effective leadership from the ranks of self-advocates and for the accentuation of the positives of having a disability is discussed. (Author/CR)

This report describes the self-reported training needs of advisors to self-advocacy groups for people with mental retardation in the United States. The results of a telephone survey of 90 advisors indicate that because of time, financial, and interest issues, training opportunities for advisors need to be time sensitive, inexpensive, and…

This trainer's guide is designed specifically to provide training to individuals with mental retardation or other cognitive disabilities on their rights under titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Written in simple language and supported by drawings that make the material more accessible, the training is meant to give…

Excerpts are given of presentations and discussion from the 1979 Puerto Rico conference on international developments in mental retardation. R. Dybwad ("The Child with Retardation Today--The Adult of Tomorrow") briefly reviews international issues, including self advocacy and problems of world poverty and malnutrition. M. de Trias lists ideal…

A survey of 216 adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities who belong to self-advocacy groups found that individuals unemployed and employed in sheltered settings perceived themselves as having less control than individuals employed competitively. Results are examined in light of quality of life findings, focusing on the need to include…

A telephone survey examined self-reported training needs of 90 advisors to self-advocacy groups for people with mental retardation. Major findings addressed desired training topics, preferred training formats, hours and frequency of training, how training needs change, and differences in training based on advisor demographic data. Analysis…