title: Self-Advocacy as a Means to Positive Identities for People with Intellectual Disability: 'We Just Help Them, Be Them Really'.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stigma attached to having an intellectual disability has negative implications for the social identities and inclusion of people with intellectual disability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study explored the effects of membership of independent self-advocacy groups on the social identity of people with intellectual disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 members of six self-advocacy groups which varied in size, resources, location and policy context: two based in the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania and four in the UK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Collegiality, ownership and control by members characterized groups. They gave members opportunities for paid or voluntary work, skill development and friendship which contributed to their confidence and engagement with life. Possibilities for new more positive identities such as being an expert, a business-like person, a self-advocate and an independent person were opened up. Self-advocacy is an important means of furthering social inclusion of people with intellectual disability.
authors.affiliation: Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Sian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bigby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000523:psychology*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012933:Social Identification; D013648:Tasmania; D006113:United Kingdom; D014739:Victoria
keywords: intellectual disability; participation; self-advocacy; social identity; social inclusion