The impact of austerity on people with learning disabilities in the North East of England

Bondi123

Hi, I hope that you are well.

My name is Isaac, I am a 3rd year sociology student. I am looking for people over the age of 18 for my university study (dissertation) in how austerity has impacted people with learning disabilities in the North East of England.   

This research will involve a chat/interview that will take place online 

If you are interested, or have any questions about the research then please could you message me on here, or email me at dssb@durham.ac.uk

Below is more information about the study. There will also be a poster about the study linked at the end as well.  

Name of study: 

How have Austerity measures implemented from 2010 in the UK, impacted those with learning disabilities living in the North-East of England?   

Description of research: 

- This research is looking at how policy brought in by the UK government from 2010 that cut state spending (austerity) (such cuts to benefits) to reduce the economic crisis of 2008 has impacted people with learning disabilities

 

- These cuts have impacted the lives of people with learning disabilities in the North-East of England, however, there has not been much research done directly asking people with learning disabilities how austerity has impacted their lives.  

 

- As well, the North-East of England is an area that has been significantly impacted by austerity in the past 10 years.  

 

What is the purpose of the research? 

- The purpose of this research is to support a university study (dissertation), part of my degree in sociology.  

- And this research is to inform how austerity has impacted those with learning disabilities in the North-East, potentially being used to show the effects of austerity on people with learning difficulties and inform future policy.   

 

What is the method of the research? 

- Participants are being recruited through charities and organisations that work with people with disabilities and learning disabilities. Specifically, only people who live in the North-East of England, and are over 18 years old are considered for this research.  

- This research consists of a one-to-one online chat (semi-structured interview) which allows for a few set questions, and for people with learning disabilities to talk about issues from their own personal experiences.  

The set questions will be asking people around 6 topics (benefits, social care, social life, employment, health, and covid-19) that may have been impacted by austerity. 

- People with learning disabilities will also be able to talk about any aspects of their lives that have been impacted by austerity. 

 

- The interview can take place on any online platform (for example, Zoom) 

 

Who will conduct the research? 

I (Isaac) the researcher is conducting the research and will be chatting to people with learning disabilities 😊 

 

What personal data will be collected in this research? 

Personal information, which could include:  

• the city or town in the North-East the participant lives in  

 

• support groups, charities, organisations, and social groups that the participant is a part of  

 

• information about the participants life during austerity (potentially the past 10 years) 

 

• the participant’s age and gender will be collected (if the participant is okay with giving this information).  

 

- Any identifying information will be excluded from transcripts, to ensure anonymity.     

 

How will that personal data be stored and how long for? 

- Interview recordings will be placed on a password protected device, such as a laptop.  

 

- Interviewing recordings will not be stored on a mobile phone.  

 

- Personal data will only be viewed by me the researcher.   

 

- Following transcription of audio recordings, the audio recordings will be deleted. Upon completing the report, on March 17th and no later than June 5th, data and interview transcripts will be destroyed.  

 

- Data will not be shared outside of the research team.  

 

- The finished dissertation may be sent to a few charities and organisations, with all personal data still being anonymised.    

How will members participate in the research? 

- Members will participate by detailing their experiences about how austerity has impacted their lives. 

 

- There will be some set questions around the 6 topics mentioned before, however the participants can direct the chat and talk about other topics surrounding austerity.   

 

- Interviews/chats will take no longer than 30 minutes. It is up to participants how they want to do the interview, e.g., in blocks (such as doing one part of the interview one day, and the last part another day).  

 

- If participants want to, they can bring a carer, family member or support group in the interview with them.  

 

- Participants will be allowed to create their own pseudonyms (if they want to), that will be used for the research findings.  

This is a link to the poster that details more about the study. The link will send you to a word document that displays the poster: https://t.co/mcBl2yUyeh

Thank you for reading

Alex_Alumni

Thanks very much for posting your study @Bondi123 I wish you all the best with it, and please keep us updated with how it goes Also, please see our disclaimer below:

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