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    Was it worth it? : evaluating outcomes for students who undertook the Diploma in Supported Employment : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Policy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2005) Taylor, John
    This thesis evaluates self-reported outcomes from 12 students who enrolled in the Diploma in Supported Employment during the three intakes funded by the Ministry of Social Development (2001-2002). It explores how the content and delivery of the diploma have met student needs and expectations, and assisted them in their practice as supported employment practitioners. The research is conducted within the environment of disability and the vocational rehabilitation sector of New Zealand, where the focus of endeavour is assisting disabled people with their employment aspirations. The sector is predominantly funded through contribution from central government and is in the process of a paradigm shift. Research indicates that the vocational sector has traditionally operated on the individual or medical understanding of disability, which equates disability with impairment and characterises it as some unfortunate or catastrophic, chance occurrence that has befallen the individual. The emerging paradigm is that disability is socially constructed, having its roots in critical social theory. Supported employment is in keeping with the new paradigm shift and has become a major government strategy in supporting disabled people. The Diploma in Supported Employment was originally conceived as a way to provide the necessary skills to a largely untrained workforce. Its delivery was the first ever attempt at coordinated training across this sector. The Ministry of Social Development, to further their policy objectives, supported existing vocational sector staff to enrol. The thesis therefore represents a timely and pertinent evaluation of the effectiveness of the Diploma in Supported Employment and will assist future planning for work force development in the vocational sector. A qualitative methodology is employed to explore students' lived reality through six individual interviews and a focus group of an additional six past students. The analysis privileges the student voice and key factors that support the student to complete the qualification and to apply their new knowledge in their work are identified. This project has potential public policy implications and makes recommendations for future practice and research.
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    When you lack the word : stories from parents of children with visual and other disabilities : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Social Policy and Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Kerr, Alison Lassie
    This document, submitted as a Master's thesis, describes a research project carried out during 1994 and 1995. The study arose out of my multiple identity as a parent of two children with a visual disability, as a professional working in the field, and as a researcher. The aim of the study was to find out how parents of children with disabilities cope: what strategies they employ to deal with the situations they face; how they effect the changes they see as necessary for their children and for their families; and what they want from professionals. Research data was collected through unstructured in-depth interviews with six respondents from a group of parents of children with visual impairment. I had access to this national group through membership of it, and was also known to the respondents as a social worker with the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind, of which all the children involved in the study are members. Data for analysis was also drawn from official documents dealing with disability issues, and from current New Zealand disability literature. Research methods were consistent with an emancipatory approach which aims to avoid appropriation and to share power. Strategies were employed which would privilege the stories and characterise the parents as co-researchers in a collaborative exploration of the lives of children with disabilities and their parents. Theory is used in this study to describe and explain what happens in the lives of children with disabilities and their families, and to imaginatively construct what could happen. My conclusions suggest ways in which professionals can support parents by listening to them, and by offering them respect, competence, and caring. I suggest that professionals should be prepared to take some risks and share some of the consequences of current social attitudes towards disability. I conclude that what parents of children with disabilities want is not so much partnership, but alliances with people who will listen to them and support them in their search for opportunities for their children.
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    Development needs of people with physical disabilities in Lebanon : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1997) Pittaway, Miranda Jo
    This thesis is concerned with people who are physically disabled and are living in Lebanon. The discussion focuses on what development has occurred for these people, how their households manage their lives within their local and national environment, what their needs are, and which service providers are attempting to address these needs. The national environment in which these people live and the situation of disabled people in developing countries is also considered. The thesis question asks if the service providers are meeting the development needs of the people with physical disabilities. The needs of the disabled people fall into two broad categories: practical and social. The Lebanese state is not active in addressing these needs and this role falls to the non-governmental organisations. It is shown that the non-governmental organisation services are in some way meeting the development needs of the people with physical disabilities. But both the non-governmental organisations and the people with physical disabilities identify weaknesses in the non-governmental organisation service provision. The physically disabled people experience improvements in their quality of life through their own efforts or with the support of the non-governmental organisations and/or their families.
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    An evaluation of the impact of the "MAISS" needs assessment concept in influencing the empowerment of people with disabilities : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Rehabilitation at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Sullivan, Lorna
    MAISS, (Managed Access to Integrated Support Services) as defined within Midland Health's service requirement definition, will be the single means of access to all support services for people with disabilities living within the Midland Health region. It must, therefore be considered, if not as the single most significant service purchased for people with disabilities then as one of the major disability service initiatives to have developed from the 1992 health reforms. For people with disabilities, the manner in which the MAISS services are delivered, the level of skill of the people delivering the services, and the subsequent availability of flexible, responsive service provision, will be the test of the Governments ability to achieve stated health reform outcomes. These outcomes were clearly articulated by people with disabilities themselves within the Self Help and Empowerment document, developed from the Consensus Development Conferences of the Core Services Committee. This research took the form of an evaluation of the impact which MAISS has had on the expressed feelings of self help and empowerment for one group of significant services users. The MAISS concept as delivered by one of three contracted providers, is examined to determine whether or not MAISS services are perceived by people with disabilities as having resulted in an enhancement of their perceived empowerment or mastery over the decisions which impact upon their lives. Judgments are made on the extent to which the MAISS concept and its implementation is seen to be supporting the enablement of people with disabilities. The research identifies those aspects of service delivery which most significantly contribute to expressed feelings of empowerment. Investigation was undertaken through the development of a structured questionnaire. This questionnaire was used as the single means of data collection. The questionnaire was developed from a conceptual framework based upon the New Zealand Standards for Needs Assessment developed and promoted by the Ministry of Health. The key recommendations made within this study relate to the need for assessment services to utilize assessment practices which foster the integrity and internal validity of the assessment process. The study also recommends that there needs to be a greater sharing of knowledge and accuracy of information in interactions between providers and consumers of services. Finally the research notes the need for continued investigation into the concept and implementation of services as defined within MAISS as such services continue to act as the major gatekeeper for people with disabilities seeking access to essential support services.