Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research

Recent projects

Bad News for Disabled People: How the newspapers are reporting disability

Inclusion London commissioned the Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research and the Glasgow Media Group to carry out a study to analyse changes in the way the media are reporting disability and how it has impacted on public attitudes towards disabled people. In carrying out the study they compared and contrasted media coverage of disability in five papers in 2010-11 with a similar period in 2004-5 and ran a series of
focus groups.

An In-depth Examination of Public Bodies’ Experience of Implementing the Disability Equality Duty

  • Examine how public bodies are interpreting and implementing legislation on producing a Disability Equality Scheme
  • Document their experiences in developing the DES and identify best practice
  • Investigate the contribution made by DES to organisational change and improved outcomes for disabled people
  • Give an overview of progress towards disability equality made by public authorities in their policy sector
  • Recommend action by those public authorities to bring about further progress towards disability equality

Evaluation of the Adults with Incapacity Act (Scotland) 2000 Part 4

The main aims of the research were to assess the effectiveness of Part 4 of the Act including: the uptake; benefits to residents; and key stakeholders’ experiences of using the provisions in Part 4 of the Act, and to make recommendations on any action needed.

Experiences of young disabled people aged 16 to 64 years, living in residential care homes in Greater Glasgow

This report is based on a pilot study exploring the experiences and aspirations of young disabled people, aged between 16 to 64 years, living in residential care homes in the Greater Glasgow area. The pilot study involved visits to 10 care homes (A to J). One to one discussions were conducted with 8 care home managers and 16 (eight male and eight female) residents aged between 31 years and 64 years. All residents have been given a pseudonym.

The aims of the study were to explore:

  • Pathways into residential care
  • Individuals’ experiences of living in a residential care home
  • The impact living in a residential care home may have on individuals’ opportunities to live independently, sustain relationships with families and networks of friends and opportunities to access education or employment
  • And to gather examples of good practice

Self Management Pilot Evaluation

This research project evaluation of the generic self management course. The research was carried out for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GG&C) between September 2008 and August 2009.

Audit of NHS Funded Services in Glasgow

The purpose of this research is to explore and evaluate voluntary sector activities funded through by NHSGGC.

Suicide and Attempted Suicide in Young Women of South Asian Origin in Scotland

This research aimed to identify the current patterns and trends of self-harm and suicide amongst young women of South Asian origin in Scotland and to make recommendations for future service developments in the area.

Knowledge Exchange on Public Policy in Scotland: Promoting Best Practice on Equality and Human Rights in Scotland

A Scottish Funding Council-funded study on the development of research and knowledge exchange on equality and human rights in Scotland. View report online.

A Feasibility Study into setting up a Scottish Centre for Research on Equality and Human Rights

This feasibility study investigated the current research landscape, Scotland, UK and international and determined the range of equality research across Universities in Scotland.  It also examined appropriate models of equality applied elsewhere, such as those found in different parts of the UK, different European countries, North America, Australia, and New Zealand and compared and contrasted how these countries have approached mainstreaming equality issues.

The Implementation of Direct Payments for People who use Care Services

The over-arching aim of the research was to evaluate the implementation of direct payments policy in Scotland.  It also reviewed the impact of the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, and identified why some people choose not to take up direct payments and examined differences in uptake between different client groups. It identified good practice as well as barriers to effective implementation of the direct payments scheme by local authorities and support organisations.

Disabled People and End of Life Decisions

The research examines policy used in Scottish Hospitals for 'Do not Resuscitate' notices in relation to disabled people and guidelines on the withdrawal or withholding of treatment.

"What's happening?" How young people with learning disabilities and their parents/carers understand anxiety and depression.

This research aims to help a small number of young people with learning disabilites to talk about their experience of being anxious and depressed and to talk to their parents/carers about how they have experienced the young person's difficulties.

Awareness of Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act in Scotland.

This research will investigate how universities, FE colleges and state and independent schools are gearing up to implement the legislation.

Assessment of Lifestyle Satisfaction in Occupational Integration (ALSOI).

The aim of the project is to develop an instrument to measure the lifestyle satisfaction of people with learning disabilities who are in employment. The instrument will be based on the perceptions and constructs of people with learning disabilities, and will be piloted in Scotland, Iceland, Spain and Italy.

How can statutory services work with people with a new diagnosis of epilepsy and their employers to assist people to stay in employment.

This six-month project is funded by the Greater Glasgow Health Board. There is evidence to show that the diagnosis of epilepsy can have a devastating effect on individuals' ability to obtain and retain employment, and that this is of major concern for many people living with epilepsy.

What are the main health needs of people with epilepsy and how can services be provided to reflect the diversity and the complexity of perceived needs?

This six-month project is funded by the Greater Glasgow Health Board. This project seeks to explore how the traditionally dominant medical definition and management of epilepsy could be juxtaposed with more social models of service provision to provide a service that more closely reflects the concerns and perceived needs of people living with epilepsy.

What are the key factors which enable people with Parkinson's disease to remain in or re-enter employment?

Current estimates suggest that there are about 120,000 people in the UK with Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the incidence of PD increases with age, it also affects younger individuals.

Does supported employment have an impact on the mental health, including subjective well being, of people with learning disabilities?

Community care policy for people with learning disabilities (PwLD) emphasises the health benefits of participation in mainstream daytime activities including employment.