Exploring the Everyday Life Information Needs, Practices, and Challenges of Emerging Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Fuente: ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
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Main Author: Hanson-Baldauf, Dana
Format: Recurso educativo Open Access
Language:en
Published: 2013
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author Hanson-Baldauf, Dana
author_facet Hanson-Baldauf, Dana
Hanson-Baldauf, Dana
collection Education Resources Information Center
contents Exploring the Everyday Life Information Needs, Practices, and Challenges of Emerging Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Hanson-Baldauf, Dana Mental Retardation Young Adults Case Studies Developmental Disabilities Participatory Research Semi Structured Interviews Observation Art Products Photography Documentation Content Analysis Motivation Access to Information Barriers Information Sources Daily Living Skills Skill Development Knowledge Level Capacity Building Social Capital Developmental Stages Quality of Life Environmental Influences This dissertation research addresses a gap in the library and information science literature on everyday life information (ELI) needs and experiences of emerging adults with intellectual disabilities (I/DD). Emerging adulthood refers to the period between the late teen years and mid-twenties. Although this is a period of significant change for all young people, for individuals with I/DD this life stage is recognized as one of the most stressful times of life. The challenges experienced by these individuals suggest considerable areas of information need. This case study research explored the ELI needs, practices, and challenges of four emerging adults with I/DD. Employing a participatory research approach, participants played a central role in the inquiry process by offering time, input, and invitations into their daily lives for observation and study. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, participant/non-participant observations, artwork, photography, and document review of IEP and PCP reports. Analyses revealed four rich and multifaceted lives led by individuals exhibiting a wide range of both formidable and whimsical ELI needs. Twenty-nine categories of ELI need were identified, including multiple subcategories. All four participants displayed high motivation and great initiative in their ELI practice as information seekers, consumers, producers, managers, and providers. They also employed a wide range of tools, resources, and strategies to their advantage, despite considerable challenges---inherent and imposed. Barriers inhibiting information access were identified under the following categories: intrapersonal, physical, economic, social, and institutional. Results from this study parallel findings from other youth-ELI studies. The need for cognitively accessible information and proactive LIS service was underscored in each case study as a necessary mean toward supporting the developmental processes of emerging adults with I/DD and the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions for self-actualization and enhanced adult life outcomes. A person-centered, outcomes-oriented model for LIS research and practice is proposed with emphasis on a strengths-based approach that capitalizes on individual capabilities, interests, and life priorities in recognition of the whole person. Five target areas are identified for LIS attention: individual capacity building, social capital, developmental processes, quality of life, and enabling environments. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
format Recurso educativo Open Access
id eric_ED553790
institution ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
language en
publishDate 2013
record_format eric
spellingShingle Exploring the Everyday Life Information Needs, Practices, and Challenges of Emerging Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Hanson-Baldauf, Dana
Mental Retardation
Young Adults
Case Studies
Developmental Disabilities
Participatory Research
Semi Structured Interviews
Observation
Art Products
Photography
Documentation
Content Analysis
Motivation
Access to Information
Barriers
Information Sources
Daily Living Skills
Skill Development
Knowledge Level
Capacity Building
Social Capital
Developmental Stages
Quality of Life
Environmental Influences
Exploring the Everyday Life Information Needs, Practices, and Challenges of Emerging Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Hanson-Baldauf, Dana Mental Retardation Young Adults Case Studies Developmental Disabilities Participatory Research Semi Structured Interviews Observation Art Products Photography Documentation Content Analysis Motivation Access to Information Barriers Information Sources Daily Living Skills Skill Development Knowledge Level Capacity Building Social Capital Developmental Stages Quality of Life Environmental Influences This dissertation research addresses a gap in the library and information science literature on everyday life information (ELI) needs and experiences of emerging adults with intellectual disabilities (I/DD). Emerging adulthood refers to the period between the late teen years and mid-twenties. Although this is a period of significant change for all young people, for individuals with I/DD this life stage is recognized as one of the most stressful times of life. The challenges experienced by these individuals suggest considerable areas of information need. This case study research explored the ELI needs, practices, and challenges of four emerging adults with I/DD. Employing a participatory research approach, participants played a central role in the inquiry process by offering time, input, and invitations into their daily lives for observation and study. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, participant/non-participant observations, artwork, photography, and document review of IEP and PCP reports. Analyses revealed four rich and multifaceted lives led by individuals exhibiting a wide range of both formidable and whimsical ELI needs. Twenty-nine categories of ELI need were identified, including multiple subcategories. All four participants displayed high motivation and great initiative in their ELI practice as information seekers, consumers, producers, managers, and providers. They also employed a wide range of tools, resources, and strategies to their advantage, despite considerable challenges---inherent and imposed. Barriers inhibiting information access were identified under the following categories: intrapersonal, physical, economic, social, and institutional. Results from this study parallel findings from other youth-ELI studies. The need for cognitively accessible information and proactive LIS service was underscored in each case study as a necessary mean toward supporting the developmental processes of emerging adults with I/DD and the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions for self-actualization and enhanced adult life outcomes. A person-centered, outcomes-oriented model for LIS research and practice is proposed with emphasis on a strengths-based approach that capitalizes on individual capabilities, interests, and life priorities in recognition of the whole person. Five target areas are identified for LIS attention: individual capacity building, social capital, developmental processes, quality of life, and enabling environments. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
title Exploring the Everyday Life Information Needs, Practices, and Challenges of Emerging Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
topic Mental Retardation
Young Adults
Case Studies
Developmental Disabilities
Participatory Research
Semi Structured Interviews
Observation
Art Products
Photography
Documentation
Content Analysis
Motivation
Access to Information
Barriers
Information Sources
Daily Living Skills
Skill Development
Knowledge Level
Capacity Building
Social Capital
Developmental Stages
Quality of Life
Environmental Influences
url https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED553790