Exploring the role and exploring importance that independent living has in the lives of disabled people

The objective of this study was to identify the role and importance that Independent Living has in the lives of disabled people. I am a disability activist and involved in the Independent Living Movement both in Ireland and in Europe. Sadly very little research has been conducted into the Independent Living Movement in Ireland, this encouraged me to select this area to research. The purpose of this research was to get the views of people connected, from a Leader’s, Manager’s and Personal Assistant’s perspective. The research was carried out using qualitative research methods. The qualitative data was gathered though a focus group who met twice and twelve individual interviews. The focus group was comprised of disabled people, Personal Assistants and administration staff involved in promoting Independent Living. The focus group was representative of the disabled people and included people with mobility difficulties, people with visual impairments and people with hearing impairments. The twelve individual interviews included Leaders from all over Ireland and a Manager from the Centre for Independent Living and a Manger from the Health Service Executive. I also interviewed a leading Independent Living activist from the UK. The interviewees explored various aspects of Independent Living and participants were encouraged to identify the issues which they wanted to explore. The process was student led rather than tutor led. This approach led to some extremely interesting and informative discussion. The process produced very useful data which will be given to the Centre for Independent Living to reflect on and take action. This research demonstrates the usefulness and importance of conducting research in this area and endorses the approach and slogan of the Farther of the Independent Living Movement, Ed Roberts