Transition and people with learning disabilities: Reflections on the quality of content that emerges from the process of involving service users in information provision

Abstract

Purpose

The paper's purpose is to describe the information content of web sites developed by and for people with learning disabilities around the theme of transition from school to adulthood.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a content analysis approach, in which subject experts evaluate user‐generated content produced as part of a project on inclusion and people with learning disabilities.

Findings

Despite being only one theme of a number pertaining to transition, leisure, entertainment and hobby‐related information dominated the web sites. Other issues elicited included that of writing about one's personal experiences providing limited information of use to others, the key role of carers/supporters in information provision, and some material being too difficult for people with learning disabilities to understand.

Practical implications

The paper shows that for the information service to be valuable and relevant to the target audience, much training and considerable time investment are required for both people with learning disabilities and their supporters. The practice of creating and uploading information on to the web site holds benefits to the creator beyond mere information provision.

Originality/value

The development of information services for people with learning disabilities by the service users themselves is an important innovation. This paper points out how such an inclusive approach could work in the future.

Citation

Williams, P. (2008), "Transition and people with learning disabilities: Reflections on the quality of content that emerges from the process of involving service users in information provision", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 60 No. 5, pp. 474-492. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530810908201