Gretchen A. Good

Ethics in research with older, disabled individuals.

Research with vulnerable populations, including those who are older and/or disabled, needs to be handled with added care regarding the dignity, welfare and protection of participants. Longstanding ethical concerns of research with participants who are disadvantaged by an imbalance of power within society, and in relation to the researcher, are explored in this article. In looking at shifting research paradigms, emancipatory research has emerged as a post-positive, post-interpretive approach. It is a method which can be used to research older, disabled populations without oppression or alienation, and can minimize conflicts of dual researcher roles.

What about Us? Reported Experiences of Disabled People Related to the Christchurch Earthquakes

Abstract Internationally there is limited research on the experiences of people with disabilities during and following a major disaster. This research explores the reported experiences of disabled people related to the 2010-2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake series. Methods Qualitative inquiry involving purposive sampling and face to face interviews with 23 disabled people living in Christchurch during the earthquakes. The qualitative research was followed by a pilot quantitative survey involving 25 disabled people living in Christchurch during the earthquakes and 10 people who work in the disability sector. Qualitative interview material was analysed using thematic analysis while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results Disabled people preferred to shelter in place as their homes are organised to suit their specific needs. Our research suggests that urban disaster risk reduction strategies are needed that enhance opportunities for disabled people to maintain autonomy in an emergency situation. Key factors identified by participants that increase earthquake vulnerability among disabled people include a lack of personal disaster preparedness, public information that is not disability accessible and social isolation. Resilience was enhanced through disaster preparedness planning and good support networks. Implications: Individuals, communities and responding agencies could learn from the experiences of disabled people in order to improve preparation and response to disasters for vulnerable groups. Disaster recovery should be seen as an opportunity to reduce risk through avoiding recreating the conditions of vulnerability that may have existed previously.

Adoption of Children with Disabilities: An Exploration of the Issues for Adoptive Families.

This systematic literature review is an exploration of issues for adoptive families throughout the adoption process and into the various phases of the life of the adoptive family. Although there has been much recent research related to adoption, in general, very little adoption literature addresses the often unspoken needs of families who want to adopt or have adopted children with disabilities. These families report lack of good preparation services, post-adoption support, disability specific support, educational support and assistance with managing open adoptions. Children with significant emotional, physical, sensory or mental impairments represent an increased proportion of the population of children who have been adopted. This review of literature related to adoption and disability raises awareness of those involved in adoption processes and in education, of the needs of adoptive parents, which, in turn, will impact on the well-being of families, and waiting and adopted children with disabilities.