Robert Campain

Measuring the outcomes of inclusive communities

The right support enables people to participate in the community and enhances quality of life. This presentation explores the ongoing research related to the Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) (Llewellyn et al., 2007), an online support needs assessment tool conceptually based on the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (World Health Organization, 2001). The I-CAN holistically considers both ‘‘Health and Well-being’’ and ‘‘Activities and Participation’’ in its assessment of support needs. The comprehensive Individual Support Needs Report works in with Individual Planning (IP) processes to streamline support provision. Discussion will focus on the implementation of the I-CAN and how using the I-CAN in combination with an Active Support model and IPs can assist service providers to enable the people they support to be actively involved in the community and lead a fulfilling life.

Listening to the voices of children: understanding the human rights priorities of children with disability in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea

Abstract In developing countries, children with disability lack basic services yet their voices are missing in the development agenda. This article reports on research to investigate the human rights needs and priorities of 89 children with disability aged 5–18 years in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. An accessible and inclusive research method was developed to enable children with diverse disabilities to communicate their own views via visual, audio and tactile means. Data were analysed in relation to the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, identifying a wide range of priority areas including recreation, leisure and cultural life; employment; home and family life; and education. It is proposed that policy and programme responses must take a holistic view of children and their needs, affirming but thinking beyond the importance of education, to address the complexity of the systemic disadvantage faced by children with disability.