Resources and outputs

These resources have been developed through nearly 30 years of research at the Norah Fry Centre for Disability Studies. Although many of them were produced in earlier policy and practice contexts, they remain available as a record of the Centre’s work and as useful reference materials, but may not always reflect current policy, or up-to-date guidance and terminology.

Books, reports and learning packs

  • Secret loves, hidden lives? Exploring issues for men and women with learning difficulties who are gay, lesbian or bisexual by David Abbott and Joyce Howarth.
  • Making a Difference? Exploring the impact of multi-agency working on disabled children with complex health care needs, their families and the professionals that support them by Ruth Townsley, David Abbott and Debby Watson.
  • Making Valuing People Work Strategies for change in services for people with learning disabilities by Rachel Fyson and Linda Ward.
  • Committed to Change? Promoting the involvement of people with learning difficulties in staff recruitment by Ruth Townsley, Joyce Howarth, Mark Graham and Pete LeGrys. Published by the Policy Press.
  • Pushing Open the Door. Housing options: the impact of a 'housing and support' advisory service. by Ken Simons. ISBN 1 86134 259 4. Available from Marston Book Services, PO BOX 269, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4YN. Telephone 01235 465500. 2000.
  • Home, work and inclusion. The social policy implications of supported living and employment for people with learning disabilities. 1998. by Ken Simons. Published by YPS for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
  • Living Support Networks: an evaluation of the services provided by KeyRing by Ken Simons.
  • Getting Involved in Choosing Staff by Ruth Townsley, Joyce Howarth, Pete Le Grys and Margaret Macadam. A resource pack for supporters, trainers and staff working with people with learning difficulties.
  • I'm not complaining but ... A flexible training resource on complaints procedures. by Ken Simons. ISBN 0 9530599 0 1. 1995.
  • Still a Chance to Learn ? A report on the impact of the Further and Higher Education Act (1992) on education for adults with learning difficulties. By Margaret Macadam and Jeannie Sutcliffe. ISBN 1 872941 99 0.
  • Invisible Victims: crime and abuse against adults with learning disabilities by Christopher Williams. A full report including training material (for police, service providers and lay advocates) and policy recommendations. Email: post@jkp.com
  • Values and Visions. Changing Ideas in Services for People with Learning Difficulties. Edited by Terry Philpot and Linda Ward.
  • Residential Short-term Care Services. Book of photocopiable materials needed to carry out a full and detailed evaluation of a service or to simply review one aspect such as 'partnership with parents' or 'quality of care'. ISBN 0 11 321972 5 by Carol Robinson, Clive Weston and John Minkes.
  • Seen and Heard. Involving disabled children and young people in research and development projects by Linda Ward ISBN: 1 899987 48 7.
  • Observing for Quality by Clive Weston, John Minkes and Carol Robinson. Observation Schedule contained in 'Quality in Day Services for Under-Fives' above but available separately, so it can be used as part of a full evaluation service or as a free standing tool. ISBN 0 11 321973 3.
  • Quality in Day Services for Under Fives. Contains a wide range of photocopiable materials, including questionnaires, interview and observation schedules, which allow information to be collected from staff and parents. ISBN 0 11 321971 7 by Carol Robinson, Clive Weston and John Minkes.
  • In their own right. The Carers Act and carers of people with learning disabilities. by Val Williams and Carol Robinson. ISBN 1 86134 231 4.

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Online documents

Advocacy

Authors: Ruth Townsley, Anna Marriott and Linda Ward

Parents

Authors: Beth Tarleton, Linda Ward and Joyce Howarth

Author: Beth Tarleton

Sexuality and relationships

Authors: David Abbott and Joyce Howarth

Death

Authors: Confidential Inquiry Team

Disabled children

Authors: Ruth Townsley, David Abbott and Debby Watson

  • Making a Difference (PDF, 134kB). Exploring the impact of multi-agency working on disabled children with complex health care needs, their families and the professionals that support them by Ruth Townsley, David Abbott and Debby Watson. From £16.23.

Authors: David Abbott, Linda Ward and Jenny Morris

Authors: Debby Watson, Beth Tarleton and Anthony Feiler

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Authors: Craig McLean, Liam McLean and David Abbott

Author: Dr Shawn Sobers

Guidelines for accessible information

Authors: The Norah Fry Research Centre, RNIB , Black Health Agency, Jane Jones and Sue Thurman

Housing

Researchers

  • Deborah Quilgars
  • Eppie Leishman
  • Mark Wilberforce
  • Julie Rugg
  • David Abbott
  • Riverside
  • Learning Disability England
  • Housing LIN
  • Stephen Lee Hodgkins
  • York People First and My Life
  • My Choice

Personalisation and direct payments

Authors: Pauline Heslop, Val Williams and Helen Spandler

Authors: Pauline Heslop and Val Williams

Authors: David Abbott and others

Authors: Skills for Support Research Team (Lisa Ponting, Kerrie Ford, Philippa Rudge and Val Williams)

Authors: David Abbott, Edmund  Coleman-Fountain, and Harvey Humphrey and published in the Journal of Critical and Radical Social Work (2024)

Finance

Authors: Val Williams, David Abbott, Jackie Rodgers, Linda Ward and Debby Watson

The interface between mental health and learning disability services

Authors: Ken Simons and Oliver Russell

Self injury

Authors: Pauline Heslop and Fiona Macaulay

Transition

Authors: Pauline Heslop, David Abbott, Lisa Johnson and Robina Mallet

Authors: Pauline Heslop, Robina Mallett, Ken Simons and Linda Ward.

Author: Beth Tarleton

Authors: Sandra Dowling, Val Williams, Joe Webb, Vicky Mason-Angelo and Beth Richards, University of Bristol

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Easy read information

Money

Parenting

Relationships

Research

Support work

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