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Whilst there is now a growing body of sociological research on the role of sport in the social, gender and identity rehabilitation of people with physical impairments, research on the role of sport in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities primarily focuses on improving fitness, health and social interactions. Yet sport is not only a form of physical exercise, competition or leisure-it is also a powerful social institution within which social structures and power relations are reproduced and, less frequently, challenged. You don't need an entire sports team or YourEllipticals meant for heavy performing athletes, you just need to be mentally into it. This paper provides insights into the role of sport and physical activity in the lives of four young Australians with intellectual disabilities or cognitive limitations from their own perspectives. Data from life history interviews elicits rich and in-depth insights, revealing that the meanings these young people give to their sporting experiences include-but also go beyond-concerns with fitness, health and social interactions. Though by no means representative of the role of sport for all young people with intellectual disabilities, it is evident that these four young people use sport to negotiate complex emotional worlds around disability, identity, and belonging-much like their physically impaired counterparts.

Attention is focussed on multiple stakeholder issues that cut across organizational boundaries andcreate `wicked¿ problems that are difficult to resolve. Our key focus centres on how to effectivelymanage the transition of people with intellectual disabilities into aged care that facilitates well-beingfor clients, carers and stakeholders. Both the Disability and Aged Care Sectors recognise thedifficulties for people with intellectual disabilities who experience aging issues earlier than otherpeople and yet, funding barriers and inter-organizational constraints have prevented effective action.We advocate a storytelling approach to identify obstacles that require further investigation as well asto leverage stakeholders to potential opportunities for social innovation and the development ofprogrammes for change.

Attention is focussed on multiple stakeholder issues that cut across organizational boundaries andcreate `wicked¿ problems that are difficult to resolve. Our key focus centres on how to effectivelymanage the transition of people with intellectual disabilities into aged care that facilitates well-beingfor clients, carers and stakeholders. Both the Disability and Aged Care Sectors recognise thedifficulties for people with intellectual disabilities who experience aging issues earlier than otherpeople and yet, funding barriers and inter-organizational constraints have prevented effective action.We advocate a storytelling approach to identify obstacles that require further investigation as well asto leverage stakeholders to potential opportunities for social innovation and the development ofprogrammes for change.

Social comparison theory offers an understanding of the effect of deinstitutionalisation on the development of self-concept for people with intellectual disabilities (Finlay & Lyons, 2000). Social comparison theory predicts that people with intellectual disabilities living in the community will make comparisons with non-disabled groups and as such their self-concept will decrease because of negative frame of reference effects (Tracey, 2002). However, there are indications that this conceptualisation may be too simplistic (Crocker & Major, 1989, Finlay & Lyons, 2000). Newer developments in social comparison theory and research emphasise the active nature of social comparisons (i.e. people have a choice in whom they compare themselves and on what dimensions, Dixon, 2005) and that people with disabilities may use selective processes in relations to groups and processes to bolster their self-esteem (Finlay & Lyons, 2000). This paper presents the preliminary results of a larger qualitative study of 5 women who had been institutionalised for long periods of time but were deinsitutionalised. The research explored the overall patterns of social comparisons that people with intellectual disabilities who have moved to the community make and whether people with intellectual disabilities categorise themselves through these social comparisons.

Social comparison theory offers an understanding of the effect of deinstitutionalisation on the development of self-concept for people with intellectual disabilities (Finlay & Lyons, 2000). Social comparison theory predicts that people with intellectual disabilities living in the community will make comparisons with non-disabled groups and as such their self-concept will decrease because of negative frame of reference effects (Tracey, 2002). However, there are indications that this conceptualisation may be too simplistic (Crocker & Major, 1989, Finlay & Lyons, 2000). Newer developments in social comparison theory and research emphasise the active nature of social comparisons (i.e. people have a choice in whom they compare themselves and on what dimensions, Dixon, 2005) and that people with disabilities may use selective processes in relations to groups and processes to bolster their self-esteem (Finlay & Lyons, 2000). This paper presents the preliminary results of a larger qualitative study of 5 women who had been institutionalised for long periods of time but were deinsitutionalised. The research explored the overall patterns of social comparisons that people with intellectual disabilities who have moved to the community make and whether people with intellectual disabilities categorise themselves through these social comparisons.

Social comparison theory offers an understanding of the effect of deinstitutionalisation on the development of self-concept for people with intellectual disabilities (Finlay & Lyons, 2000). Social comparison theory predicts that people with intellectual disabilities living in the community will make comparisons with non-disabled groups and as such their self-concept will decrease because of negative frame of reference effects (Tracey, 2002). However, there are indications that this conceptualisation may be too simplistic (Crocker & Major, 1989, Finlay & Lyons, 2000). Newer developments in social comparison theory and research emphasise the active nature of social comparisons (i.e. people have a choice in whom they compare themselves and on what dimensions, Dixon, 2005) and that people with disabilities may use selective processes in relations to groups and processes to bolster their self-esteem (Finlay & Lyons, 2000). This paper presents the preliminary results of a larger qualitative study of 5 women who had been institutionalised for long periods of time but were deinsitutionalised. The research explored the overall patterns of social comparisons that people with intellectual disabilities who have moved to the community make and whether people with intellectual disabilities categorise themselves through these social comparisons.

Research has found that when people with intellectual disabilities are moved from institutions into smaller community-based services, positive outcomes have been recorded. However, positive outcomes have not been inevitable. It is now recognised that mere placement in the community is not always sufficient. Individual characteristics of clients and the nature of services received in the community may be very significant to maintaining normalisation and social role valorisation. Areas that have consistently been found to have an impact on community-based living are the social competencies and affective functioning of people with intellectual disability. Given the recognised importance, it is surprising that these factors have not been the focus of more research in either the Australian or overseas context. This paper presents results from a study examining the social competence and affective functioning of people with intellectual disabilities. It describes the relations found for this population between multi-dimensional self- concept and locus of control, and quality of life.

Research has found that when people with intellectual disabilities are moved from institutions into smaller community-based services, positive outcomes have been recorded. However, positive outcomes have not been inevitable. It is now recognised that mere placement in the community is not always sufficient. Individual characteristics of clients and the nature of services received in the community may be very significant to maintaining normalisation and social role valorisation. Areas that have consistently been found to have an impact on community-based living are the social competencies and affective functioning of people with intellectual disability. Given the recognised importance, it is surprising that these factors have not been the focus of more research in either the Australian or overseas context. This paper presents results from a study examining the social competence and affective functioning of people with intellectual disabilities. It describes the relations found for this population between multi-dimensional self- concept and locus of control, and quality of life.

Research has found that when people with intellectual disabilities are moved from institutions into smaller community-based services, positive outcomes have been recorded. However, positive outcomes have not been inevitable. It is now recognised that mere placement in the community is not always sufficient. Individual characteristics of clients and the nature of services received in the community may be very significant to maintaining normalisation and social role valorisation. Areas that have consistently been found to have an impact on community-based living are the social competencies and affective functioning of people with intellectual disability. Given the recognised importance, it is surprising that these factors have not been the focus of more research in either the Australian or overseas context. This paper presents results from a study examining the social competence and affective functioning of people with intellectual disabilities. It describes the relations found for this population between multi-dimensional self- concept and locus of control, and quality of life.

Some reluctance exists among disability staff to report to police potentially criminal behaviour by people with intellectual disabilities. Both the nature and frequency of these behaviours and decision-making processes of staff concerning police involvement remain poorly understood. This study sought to explore potentially criminal behaviour by people living in disability services and the frequency of police involvement. A broad spectrum of potentially criminal behaviours was reported, most frequently involving acts of physical aggression. Police were contacted in 101/370 (27%) of the incidents reported; two-thirds involved acts where there was an identifiable victim; incidents reported to police were most likely to occur outside the disability service. A more detailed understanding of disability staff decision-making as it relates to initiating contact with the police, and the immediate and long-term issues and benefits concerning police contact and intervention, is required so as to more effectively prevent and manage potentially criminal behaviour.

Some reluctance exists among disability staff to report to police potentially criminal behaviour by people with intellectual disabilities. Both the nature and frequency of these behaviours and decision-making processes of staff concerning police involvement remain poorly understood. This study sought to explore potentially criminal behaviour by people living in disability services and the frequency of police involvement. A broad spectrum of potentially criminal behaviours was reported, most frequently involving acts of physical aggression. Police were contacted in 101/370 (27%) of the incidents reported; two-thirds involved acts where there was an identifiable victim; incidents reported to police were most likely to occur outside the disability service. A more detailed understanding of disability staff decision-making as it relates to initiating contact with the police, and the immediate and long-term issues and benefits concerning police contact and intervention, is required so as to more effectively prevent and manage potentially criminal behaviour.

Some reluctance exists among disability staff to report to police potentially criminal behaviour by people with intellectual disabilities. Both the nature and frequency of these behaviours and decision-making processes of staff concerning police involvement remain poorly understood. This study sought to explore potentially criminal behaviour by people living in disability services and the frequency of police involvement. A broad spectrum of potentially criminal behaviours was reported, most frequently involving acts of physical aggression. Police were contacted in 101/370 (27%) of the incidents reported; two-thirds involved acts where there was an identifiable victim; incidents reported to police were most likely to occur outside the disability service. A more detailed understanding of disability staff decision-making as it relates to initiating contact with the police, and the immediate and long-term issues and benefits concerning police contact and intervention, is required so as to more effectively prevent and manage potentially criminal behaviour.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the early stages of change and the way that stories can open up forms of collaborative dialogue and creative thinking among divergent stakeholders on known but "intractable" problems by enabling multiple voices to be heard in the co-construction of future possibilities for change. The empirical focus is on a project undertaken by two organizations located in Australia. The organizations - AAC, a large aged care provider and Southern Disability Services, a disability support service - collaborated with the researchers in identifying and re-characterizing the nature of the problem in the process of storying new pathways for tackling the transitioning needs of people with intellectual disabilities into aged care services. Design/methodology/approach - An action research approach was used in conducting interviews in the case organizations to ascertain the key dimensions of the presenting problem and to identify change options, this was followed by an ethnographic study of a Pilot Project used to trial the provision of disability day service programmes within an aged care setting. Findings - A key finding of the study centres on the importance of stories at the early stages of change in widening the arena of innovative opportunities, in facilitating collective acceptance of new ideas and in initiating action to resolve problems. The paper demonstrates how stories are used not only in retrospective sensemaking of existing problems but also in giving prospective sense to the possibilities for resolving protracted problems through innovative solutions that in turn facilitates a level of collective acceptance and commitment to opening up new pathways for change. Originality/value - The paper focuses on problem characterization during the early stages of change and bring to the fore the often hidden notion of time in utilizing concepts from a range of literatures in examining temporality, stories and sensemaking in a context i

This volume is indicative of an emerging breadth and depth of research into the diverse modes of communication that exist outside or alongside spoken and written language. While there has been, for example, a considerable focus on non-verbal modes of communication, such as gesture (see, for example, McNeill 1992, Kendon 1981, 2004), this focus is most often on the non-verbal communication of speakers1 . This chapter, however, focuses on the non-verbal modes of communication of someone who doesn't speak and who has a severe intellectual disability. People with intellectual disabilities and communication disorders exist in a particularly marginal space in society, relying on the beneficence of others for all their needs for the duration of their lives.

This volume is indicative of an emerging breadth and depth of research into the diverse modes of communication that exist outside or alongside spoken and written language. While there has been, for example, a considerable focus on non-verbal modes of communication, such as gesture (see, for example, McNeill 1992, Kendon 1981, 2004), this focus is most often on the non-verbal communication of speakers1 . This chapter, however, focuses on the non-verbal modes of communication of someone who doesn't speak and who has a severe intellectual disability. People with intellectual disabilities and communication disorders exist in a particularly marginal space in society, relying on the beneficence of others for all their needs for the duration of their lives.

This study reported the design and implementation of an interpersonal cognitive problem-solving intervention to increase the social skills of people with intellectual disabilities whose community placement was considered vulnerable because they exhibited challenging behaviours. The study used a single subject multiple baseline methodology to assess the impact of the intervention. However, a novel feature of the intervention was the emphasis on generalisation to the community setting and maintenance over time. As part of the assessment procedures pre- and post-test measures were taken on self esteem, problem-solving self-concept, locus of control and real life behaviours related to socialisation and self-direction. The intervention was acquired within 18 sessions by all of the participants. It also produced changes in targeted behaviours for all of the participants. Three of the five participants maintained improvements in target behaviours for up to 6 months following the removal of the intervention. The participant who displayed the least impact of the programs was a participant with a dual diagnosis. The findings have important implications for the provision of social skills programmes for people who want to be deinstitutionalised.

This study examined the affective functioning of peopIe with mild intellectual disabilities through examining salient variables that impact of people with disabilities who have been deinstitutionalised. Its primary purpose was to extend previous research by incorporating adaptive behaviour, quality of life, in combination with multidimensional self-concept, self-esteem and locus of control, in a longitudinal/comparison design. The study utilised a longitudinal/comparison group design. The results showed that the people who were deinstitutionalised benefited in some aspects of multi-dimensional self-concept, some subscales of quality of life, and three out of five factors of adaptive behaviour. The findings have important implications for current theory of the self-concept for people with intellectual disabilities, the provision of programmes and techniques to improve self-concept, hence the social integration of people who have been deinstitutionalised.

This study examined the affective functioning of peopIe with mild intellectual disabilities through examining salient variables that impact of people with disabilities who have been deinstitutionalised. Its primary purpose was to extend previous research by incorporating adaptive behaviour, quality of life, in combination with multidimensional self-concept, self-esteem and locus of control, in a longitudinal/comparison design. The study utilised a longitudinal/comparison group design. The results showed that the people who were deinstitutionalised benefited in some aspects of multi-dimensional self-concept, some subscales of quality of life, and three out of five factors of adaptive behaviour. The findings have important implications for current theory of the self-concept for people with intellectual disabilities, the provision of programmes and techniques to improve self-concept, hence the social integration of people who have been deinstitutionalised.

This study examined the affective functioning of peopIe with mild intellectual disabilities through examining salient variables that impact of people with disabilities who have been deinstitutionalised. Its primary purpose was to extend previous research by incorporating adaptive behaviour, quality of life, in combination with multidimensional self-concept, self-esteem and locus of control, in a longitudinal/comparison design. The study utilised a longitudinal/comparison group design. The results showed that the people who were deinstitutionalised benefited in some aspects of multi-dimensional self-concept, some subscales of quality of life, and three out of five factors of adaptive behaviour. The findings have important implications for current theory of the self-concept for people with intellectual disabilities, the provision of programmes and techniques to improve self-concept, hence the social integration of people who have been deinstitutionalised.

Australia's media organisations have long had an obsession with the exploits of our sporting 'champions', both on and off the field. This coverage is often said to be a response to the demands of a sports-mad nation. In a society in which sport is often considered a symbol of unity and integration, this paper investigates whether the media (1) contributes to the spirit of diversity by covering sport involving people with intellectual disabilities, and (2) encourages greater awareness of disability issues by writing with authority and understanding, or instead promotes elitism by focusing on so-called 'real sports' that feature able-bodied elite athletes and exclude those categorised as 'non sports' because they feature people with disabilities.