Commentary on “The People in Control Conference at City University, London: ‘We have opinions to share about our lives’”

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a commentary on Harding et al.'s article about the involvement of people with learning disabilities in university teaching and conference presentations.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reviews research into communication strengths and needs and into communication partnerships between service users and members of staff with a view to identifying communication barriers to the involvement of people with learning disabilities.

Findings

The generally poor communication environments in which people are supported are likely to limit opportunities for involvement.

Originality/value

It is suggested that increased involvement is likely to result from increased quality of daily communication. This may best occur as part of general service‐wide approaches to improving service quality, such as person‐centred active support.

Citation

Bradshaw, J. (2012), "Commentary on “The People in Control Conference at City University, London: ‘We have opinions to share about our lives’”", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 177-183. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595471211272523