VIPER: voice, inclusion, participation, empowerment, research

VIPER: voice, inclusion, participation, empowerment, research: This report describes a three-year project which set out to investigate the participation of disabled children and young people in decision-making about services. The research team was compiled of a group of disabled young people. The aim of the project was to improve services and to understand the barriers to involving disabled young people in the process. Findings suggest that although participation of disabled young people has increased they have less opportunity to participate in decision making, those who are involved tend to consist of a much older age group. Participation can make a huge difference to the disabled young person in terms of gaining new skills and knowledge. Evidence suggests that there is quite often tokenistic involvement in the decision making process and there needs to be training for staff in skills and knowledge and also greater resources available to bring about change. Council for Disable Children