• Technology-dependent documentation and social redundancy – a scenario...
  Björngren Cuadra, Carin  (2019) The Nordic Welfare Research Conference : Towards Resilient Nordic Welfare States (14-15 March 2019 : Helsinki, Finland)	Conference contribution

  

  

  English abstract:

  The aim of this paper is to explore what disruptions in information technology implies for the local social services in Sweden. Direct consequences of disruptions for documentation and communications will be in focus. The aim is also to contribute to a theoretical underpinned understanding of the events during disruptions in information technology. By building on Luhmann’s perspective, the local social services is introduced as a functional system and the events can consequently be related to the system’s continuity of services in spite of disruptions. The material originate from four scenario-based analysis performed by staff in local social services within the framework of risk- and vulnerability analysis in four Swedish municipalities. The scenario outlines a disruption in information technology lasting 2-6 weeks. The material consists of the compilation of what staffs’ assessments of direct consequences as well as organisational and staffs’ responses to the situations. The findings start of by describing the direct consequences such as non-accessible computers (hence inaccessible operational systems and files) telephones and alarms. The findings suggest that technological disruptions are challenging for social services as a functional system. However, the disruption seems not to lead to corresponding disruptions of social service. The functions are upheld thru adjustments made possible by functional equivalence and accessible redundancy. In this regard, it is the staff that parallel to technical adjustments do interactive adjustments, partly at the cost of their working environment. I call this social redundancy to underline how technology are replaced by social interaction. The findings suggests that information security is an area in need for improvement and strengthened structural coupling (in Luhmann’s sense) so as to emphasize the social services perspectives at the technologies in use and consequences of disruptions.

  Cuadra_2019_Full Paper.pdf   (721.2Kb)

• The concept of “vulnerability” in disability studies and social work
  Norstedt, Maria  : NNDR (Nordic Network on Disability Research) (2019) NNDR (Nordic Network on Disability Research) 15th Research Conference (8-10/05/2019 : Copenhagen, Denmark)	Conference contribution

  

  

  English abstract:

  There are two different understandings of the concept of ”vulnerability” which have implications for how we perceive disability – either as universal and part of being human (Martha Fineman, 2008) in the sense that no matter what we all die or, as something only certain people, suffers from. As for example Leach Scully (2014) has pointed out, both perspectives have weaknesses when applied on persons with disabilities: A universal perspective risks to neglect factors that make certain groups of people more vulnerable than others. On the other hand, by focusing on certain groups as more vulnerable, two groups of people are produced and reproduced; vulnerable and less vulnerable persons. Bryan Turner (2006) offers yet another perspective where vulnerability does not depend on the individual’s body or disability, but rather is understood as an universal dependency on social institutions. As a teacher and a researcher in disability studies at the department of social work I have become aware of the need to reflect over how vulnerability is conceptualized and understood within the two disciplines. In this presentation I identify and reflect over the arguments for talking about vulnerability in disability studies and in social work as well as the arguments for choosing other concepts in order to achieve social change.

• Practise Leadership in Practise
  Arvidsson, Per   Conference contribution in Journal of Intellectual Disability Research;7 : Wiley (2019) The World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) (August 6-9, 2019 : Glasgow, Scotland, UK)	Conference contribution

  

  

  English abstract:

  Introduction: Research on implementation of disability policy has to a high degree focused on policy issues and evaluating the outcome. This ongoing study focuses on organisational aspects and uses actor‐network theory (ANT) as the theoretical perspective. Methods: By teaming up with the municipal disability services in the City of Malmo, results from the study will be supplemented and adapted for implementation. By semi‐structured interviews with key persons and quantitative human resources data, this follow up study aims to map out the occurrence of functions, roles and elements associated to the concept of Practice Leadership. Results: Results from the main ANT‐study, point out the significance of how person‐centred support is governed and organised, as well as the importance of the role of front‐line managers. Further, the organising shows an arbitrary element of self‐organising, and at the same time, innovative and knowledge‐driven efforts to shape new organisational structures. One conclusion is that further efforts of implementation could benefit from elaborating current research on Practice Leadership. Implications: A strategic and long‐term collaboration between service providers, researchers and educational institutions, creates a common ground for organisational structures that are anchored and supported by the educational system. This lays a foundation for a sustainable development regarding the professionalisation of disability services.

  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12654

• Parents With Intellectual Disabilities : Experiences of Parenting and...
  Runge, Ida   Conference contribution in Journal of Intellectual Disability Research;7 : Wiley (2019) The World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) (August 6-9, 2019 : Glasgow, Scotland, UK)	Conference contribution

  

  

  English abstract:

  Introduction: In recent decades, the conditions in Sweden for parenthood for persons with intellectual disabilities have changed. However, there is little knowledge about how Swedish parents themselves experience their parenthood. The purpose is to understand the aspects that parents consider central to their parenting and, how the community's support is experienced. Methods: The empirical material consists of interviews with parents with intellectual disabilities. Results: Parents strive to be “regular” parents. Being a responsible parent is described as an ideal. It is common that they receive practical and financial support from relatives. Community support has a major impact. Support efforts based on strengthening own parental abilities and compensating for deficiencies tend to be helpful and reduce dependency. Efforts aimed at monitoring parenting are, however, experienced as stressful. Several of the parents' children are taken into custody. Depending on whether custody decision is done by coercion or by consent, affects the subsequent relationship between parent and child. Implications: Their preoccupation on parenting ideal, indicates that they feel limited in deviating from the norms. Successful community support should consider support from relatives, be based on the parents' abilities and compensate for their limitations. The establishment of basic trust appears to be a key component.

  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12659

• The Importance of a Co-Ordinated Care For Older People With Intellect...
  Hansson, J. -Å.; Ahlström, G.; Runesson, Ingrid; Kristensson, J.; Persson, M.   Conference contribution in Journal of Intellectual Disability Research;7 : Wiley (2019) The World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) (August 6-9, 2019 : Glasgow, Scotland, UK)	Conference contribution

  

  

  English abstract:

  Introduction: Health problems in people with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) are traditionally known to be common in adults of all age, with at least twice as many health problems in this group as the general ageing population. In addition, there is considerable international evidence indicating an earlier death for people with IDD compared to the general population, exacerbated by fragmentation in health care systems and resulting in poor coordination between various health care services (WHO, 2018). Methods: An evaluation was done in Sweden, to estimate the effectiveness of the health system integration for people with IDD, and quality of coordinated care by professional health care personnel who had a coordinating function. In a survey, 114 medically responsible nurses, operating in key positions in 109 municipalities throughout Sweden, were asked to assess quality of co‐ordination between various centres for social services and health‐care units for frail older people with IDD who in need of both social service and healthcare. Results: Results showed diverse coordinated care, ranging from very good to very poor cooperation between the nurses and various types of care and service units. Implications: The study findings emphasise the importance of effective coordinated care.

  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12661

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