Exploring independent living in the lives of disabled people

To adopt a critical semi-structured interview approach to investigating disabled people’s meaning of independence. To explore conceptual ideas and frameworks around the phenomena of independent living in regards to the narratives being spoken. This work follows on from Davis (1990) & Southampton Centre for Independent living (2003) emergence of the seven needs and extension into 12 basic needs that must be possessed in order for a disabled individual to successfully live independently. The interview approach critically engaged with both of, the social model of disability and a critical disability theory stance allowing voices to be heard. The research used a semi-structured interview approach to investigating disabled people’s meaning of independence. Participants were selected from a purposeful sample of personal friends and volunteers via disability organisations, aged 18-30, all male and were specifically chosen to reflect on their own insights and experiences within the phenomena of independence and could therefore be described as an expert sample, N=6. A thematic analysis identified three broad themes: Choice and Control over a variety of support, Exclusion can result in emotions and behaviours which manifests as abusive or rebellious and Integration leads to independent living equality and aspirations