Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether and how people with learning disabilities were being supported to use technologies to keep connected and stay well during the pandemic. Methods: Thirty-eight people in a range of support roles were interviewed about their experiences of trying to support people with learning disabilities to…

Background: Research has previously been undertaken around the subject of alumni networks, yet it remains to touch upon the inclusivity of these networks, particularly relating to people with learning disabilities. Referring to Law's "Community Interaction Theory", this study sets out to explore how education providers understand and…

Background: To slow the spread of COVID-19, on 20 March 2020, nurseries, schools and colleges across England were closed to all learners, apart from those who were children of key workers or were considered "vulnerable." As young people with learning disabilities, families, professionals and schools become acquainted with the Erfahrung…

Background: Obtaining employment for young people with learning disabilities remains challenging, and people may not be able to experience work that offers them the opportunity for broader and deeper social inclusion. Supported internships (SIs) offer a possible solution to this problem, providing a bespoke, structured study programme designed for…

Background: Inclusive education is a recent phenomenon in Indonesia. Students with learning disabilities have been historically and currently marginalised within most schools and communities, with limited opportunities for social inclusion. Methods: Photovoice, a qualitative, participatory methodology was implemented to engage 31 students with…

Background: Within learning disability research, it is important to involve people with learning disabilities at all stages, but there are limited opportunities for them to learn about the research process or to gain research skills. Method: An eight-session research training course for people with learning disabilities was developed and piloted…

Background: Arts and culture have proven benefits. However, access to arts and culture is not consistent. For people with learning disabilities, arts and culture are often considered therapeutic activities, and therefore, the needs of people with learning disabilities in accessing mainstream arts and culture are often overlooked. This research…

Background: Social isolation is an issue that affects many people and especially people with a learning disability. There is an association between social exclusion and feeling lonely, an issue currently highlighted as a growing concern which needs to be addressed both in the media and by the government. Methods: The Building Bridges Research…

Background: Bereavement is a universal experience, yet little research has explored the lived experience of bereavement for people with learning disability (PWLD). Materials and methods: Four PWLD were interviewed about their experience of bereavement. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Four themes were…

Background: It is now expected that projects addressing the lives of people with learning disabilities include people with learning disabilities in the research process. In the past, such research often excluded people with learning disabilities, favouring the opinions of family members, carers and professionals. The inclusion of the voices of…

Recent local research about personal experiences of self-injury and discussions about the use of harm minimisation with service users who self-injure were the motivation behind this study to glean staff opinions and advice about the introduction of a harm minimisation policy. An online survey was designed, and all staff were invited by email to…

The Stage Life was a participatory arts programme for people attending a day services provision in Nottinghamshire. The uniqueness of this programme was that it was provided in a local disused cinema acquired by the local authority for community-based activities amongst disadvantaged groups. The Stage Life aimed to build the community arts…

Recent reports highlight the extent to which many people with learning disabilities are not afforded access to their basic human rights. In addition, traditional approaches to risk management often focus on professional assessments of risks and challenging behaviour and exclude service user perspectives. In this paper, we outline what we believe…