Photography as a communication tool for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

The Resource Photography as a communication tool for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Label

Photography as a communication tool for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Statement of responsibility

by Cynthia Anne Fisher

Language

eng

Summary

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the use of photography as a communication tool by persons with intellectual or development disabilities, primarily through photo-elicitation interviews. Theoretical traditions that informed this study were heuristic, ethnomethodology, and social critical theory, including critical disability theory. Adult services for individuals with disabilities have undergone deinstitutionalization, rendering multiple options from which to choose. Because of institutionalized practices that remain, however, persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities often to not have a voice in decision-making, which potentially limits opportunities to increase their sense of self-determination. When transitioning from one setting to another, such as from the educational system to adult services, effective collaborative practices by the individual, parents and professionals provide a context that supports the voice of the individual with disabilities. Research questions were: (a) How is voice represented in the planning process through the use of photography? (b) How are photographs used as communication tools in a planning process? (c) What meanings do significant caretakers gain from the use of photography regarding interests, needs, and values of persons with disabilities? Findings from a cross-case analysis revealed the usefulness of photography as a communication tool. Content of photographs taken by individuals with disabilities represented a wider range of interests and values than indicated in person-centered planning documents. Case managers felt the this strategy would be useful in gathering information and in building the capacity of individuals to be more involved and empowered in person-centered planning. Discourse analysis indicated that parents and professionals were collaborative in interacting with the photographer: Parent prompts served to provide information and to build the capacity of the photographer, while professionals prompted in a wider variety of ways to build capacity. Conversations regarding the photographs were predominantly questions and answers. Further reteach is warranted with various populations in diverse settings and to investigate modified applications of visual data. Because participants showed unique but consistent characteristics, a new position of voice was proposed to represent those who require support, but who operate by their own standards

Additional physical form

Online version of the print edition.

Cataloging source

UMK

Degree

Ed. D.

Dissertation year

2009.

Granting institution

School of Education. University of Missouri--Kansas City

Index

no index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

dictionaries
bibliography
theses

Context

Context of Photography as a communication tool for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Structured data from the Bibframe namespace is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by University of Missouri-Kansas City Libraries. Additional terms may apply to data associated with third party namespaces.

Context

Work of