Quality of Life and Intellectual Disability

We all long for a life of purpose and fulfillment. Striving for high quality of life for us and those we care for is a powerful motivator. Many busy people dream of being lazy by a pool fanned by a soft summer breeze, but this does not last. A short time of rest and replenishment is quickly replaced by boredom and a sense of purposelessness. Quality of life is much deeper than material comfort, though this has a role. Sadly in our world today, many people live lives lacking in meaning and value: the unemployed, the underemployed, those with disabilities who would like to contribute to society but are deprived the opportunity. Their quality of life is not what it could be.

In this book, we have attempted to provide examples of how people face challenges, and the family members, professionals and care personnel who support them can be helped and supported through services working within a quality of life framework. The book provides a challenge to be addressed by the individual, their families, local communities, governments, international organizations and the society at large.

QUALITYOF LIFE AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY: KNOWLEDGE APPLICATION TO OTHER SOCIAL ANDEDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES (2014)
RoyI. Brown and Rhonda M. Faragher, Editors "This book canhelp contribute towards creating positive changes in today's society. It is notenough for any of us to focus on meeting only our own needs; we do bettercollectively when we focus on everyone's overall quality of life. On thatsubject, this text is full of important questions, answers, perspectives,interventions, research, and innovations."
Reviewedby James CairnsInternational Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies (2015) 6(4.1): 778-781
 International Journal of Child, Youth and FamilyStudies (2015) 6(4.1): 778-781 

Quality of Life andIntellectual Disability: Knowledge Application to other Social and EducationalChallenges Editors:Roy I. Brown(University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada) and Rhonda M. Faragher (AustralianCatholic University, Dickson, Australia)
This masterly summary ofthe application of Quality of Life research could not have been published at amore opportune moment, coinciding as it does with world-wide debates on makinga reality of the new post 2015 Development Goals and the existing internationalHuman Rights Conventions.
Review provided byPeter Mittler, Emeritus Professor of Special Needs Education, University ofManchester, UN consultant on disability and education. 

Quality of Life and Intellectual Disability: KnowledgeApplication to other Social and Educational Challenges
 
Editors: Roy I.Brown (University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada) and Rhonda M. Faragher(Australian Catholic University, Dickson, Australia)
 
"If one is looking for anin-depth insight into the manifold aspects of the concept of quality of life, Iwould strongly commend the book Quality of Life and Intellectual Disability,for its encyclopaedic scope, perceptive contributions and immediate relevanceto the field of intellectual disability. It merits an easily accessible placeon the bookshelf of all practitioners who actively seek ways to enhance thequality of life of people with an intellectual disability." - Reviewed by Dr.Robin Jackson, Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Learning Disability StudiesUniversity of Hertfordshire, UK

Quality of Life and IntellectualDisability: Knowledge Application to other Social and Educational Challenges

Editors: Roy I. Brown (University ofCalgary, Calgary, AB, Canada) and Rhonda M. Faragher (Australian CatholicUniversity, Dickson, Australia)


This edited volume brings together a wide range of Quality of Life scholars. Several of the writers havea distinguished and long-standing reputation in the field, which is now reaching maturity after 40 or so years of study. The volume is rich in ideas and insights and gives due recognition to the importance of empirical evidence, as well as underlying values. It is well- organized and systematic in its treatment of the topic. I was particularly pleased to see Quality of Life being extended beyond disability to encompass a broad range of individuals as well as families andsystems. The book deserves to reach a wide audience of professionals working with persons with disabilities and those whose vulnerabilities arise from many factors in modern societies.


Review provided byAdjunct Professor David Mitchell, University of Canterbury, New Zealand