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inclusion

with learning disabilities, then we need to
be more open-minded when looking at
the options that are available. I am in no
doubt that, for some people with learning
disabilities, exclusive inclusion is
preferable to inclusive exclusion.
Disturbing debate
A recent and revealing insight into the
value of the lives of people with learning
disabilities was highlighted during the
coronavirus outbreak.
In June 2020, the Office for National
Statistics revealed that almost 60% of
deaths from coronavirus in the UK were
of people with disabilities.
In July 2020, the Oxford University
Disability Law and Policy Project and the
Bonavero Institute of Human Rights
published a report that described the
Above and opposite: the Engine Shed was shut down as it was deemed not mainstream enough impact of coronavirus-related law, policy
and practice on people with disabilities.
In March 2015, the Engine Shed closed groups – a direct consequence of there The report provided evidence of the
as a training/trading operation – a loss being insufficient staff to accompany failure of the government to implement
mourned by many Edinburgh residents. individuals on 1-to-1 social excursions. properly its legal duties with respect to
One of the reasons for its closure was While it is true that residents are living in the rights of people with disabilities.
the contention of Edinburgh Council that the community, what they are experiencing It recommended that the government
it was not a mainstream or integrated is a form of inclusive exclusion. produce a disability-inclusive response to
facility. Or, to put another way, it Let me be clear – there are homes in Covid-19 that drew on the experiences of
constituted what was perceived to be an the community that do succeed in disabled people and disabled people’s
outdated form of provision. providing a high-quality service but I organisations to mitigate the immediate
would argue they are in a minority. impacts of the crisis, along with its long-
Whose community? There are other forms of provision that term economic and social consequences.
One of the most contentious policy issues should be considered. For example, In March 2020, MPs debated in
concerning provision for people with intentional communities like Camphill and parliament whether all official
learning disabilities relates to the matter L’Arche village settings offer what can be responsibility for the most vulnerable in
of what constitutes appropriate described as “exclusive inclusion”. society – including people with learning
residential provision. The official view is disabilities – should be relinquished.
that a home in the community is the most In other words, local authorities could
appropriate form of placement. There are homes in the be freed from their legal responsibilities
The problem with this view is that it under the terms of the Care Act 2014,
presupposes, first, there is an agreed community that provide a enabling them to refuse care for people
definition and understanding of the high-quality service but I would with disabilities.
meaning of home and community and, argue they are in a minority A disturbing feature of this debate was
second, that residents’ experiences in such the resurgence of eugenicist arguments
a setting can be legitimately characterised espoused by some who had been closely
as integrative and normalising. linked to the prime minister’s office.
The reality – as an examination of a While the location of these Looming over the horizon is the task of
random sample of Care Quality communities is often physically apart from meeting the astronomically high national
Commission reports will quickly confirm the mainstream, the experience for cost that has been incurred by the nation
– is that many residents in homes in the residents is genuinely inclusive – a fact as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
community have neither an integrative that an examination of the content of On the basis of past experience, it is not
nor a normalising experience. inspection reports will confirm. too difficult to see where the cuts may be
Chronic underfunding combined with While the accommodation in an exclusive made. There is then an urgent need not
high staff turnover, understaffing and the inclusive arrangement may not be situated only to highlight the dangers facing
recruitment of poorly qualified and in normal neighbourhoods, those who live people with learning disabilities but also
unqualified staff are not conducive to there are nevertheless an integral part of a to identify realistically costed strategies to
creating a high quality of life. community that offers them a wide range counter these threats. n
This shortage of staff impinges not only of educational, social, cultural, recreational
on the quality of life experienced by the and work opportunities. The sites usually Robin Jackson has been involved in the
residents but also on how they may be offer freedom of movement within a safe, learning disability field for 60 years. His
perceived by members of the public. unpolluted and tranquil environment. most rewarding experience has been
Aly Wight as part of undifferentiated and anonymous providing a high quality of life for people exploring the historical development of
If we are serious in our pursuit of
Too often, residents may be seen in public
the Camphill movement
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 4 | Summer 2022 13