Disability and Discourse - by Val Williams (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Disability and Discourse applies and explains Conversation Analysis (CA), an established methodology for studying communication, to explore what happens during the everyday encounters of people with intellectual disabilities and the other people with whom they interact.

• Explores conversations and encounters from the lives of people with intellectual disabilities
• Introduces the established methodology of Conversation Analysis, making it accessible and useful to a wide range of students, researchers and practitioners
• Adopts a discursive approach which looks at how people with intellectual disabilities use talk in real-life situations, while showing how such talk can be supported and developed
• Follows people into the meetings and discussions that take place in self-advocacy and research contexts
• Offers insights into how people with learning disabilities can have a voice in their own affairs, in policy-making, and in research

From the Back Cover

For people with intellectual disabilities, effective communication presents a special set of challenges. Despite moves towards 'personalization' in social care, large gaps exist between policy rhetoric and practice. How can we support people with intellectual disabilities on a day-to-day basis in ways that increase their power and control? What does effective participation mean in the real world?

Disability and Discourse helps to bridge the actual and perceived differences that exist between people with and without intellectual disabilities. By analysing 'real life' encounters between people with intellectual disabilities and those who work with them, Val Williams provides illuminating insight into the subtle ways in which people are treated in routine conversations. Her original research identifies empowering practices, and reveals the ways in which individual voices are linked to a 'collective voice'. Situations are also explored in which people with intellectual disabilities are empowered to have a voice in their own affairs, in policy-making, and in research.

At once illustrating the practical value of Conversation Analysis and increasing its scope to influence practice, Disability and Discourse offers a powerful voice for people with intellectual disabilities.

Review Quotes

"This thought-provoking text is aimed at practitioners, those who engage in everyday conversation with individuals with intellectual disabilities and researchers who employ conversation analysis (CA). This book reminds us that these individuals and their support workers can benefit from engaging in more mindful and reflective practice with regard to everyday discourse." (British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 7 August 2013)

About the Author

Val Williams is a Senior Research Fellow at the Norah Fry Research Centre, University of Bristol, UK - a leading centre for research into services for people with intellectual disabilities based on a social model of disability. Her work concerns the barriers faced by adults with learning disabilities, with particular emphasis on inclusive research and analysis of naturally-occurring communication.