CAREN logo

You are here

  1. Home
  2. Austerity and the lives of people with learning disabilities. A thematic synthesis of current literature

Austerity and the lives of people with learning disabilities. A thematic synthesis of current literature

The Financial Crisis of 2008 resulted in many western economies implementing cuts in health and social care. This systematic review provides a holistic picture of the impact of austerity policy on the lives of people with learning disabilities (LD) and the collateral effects on the people who support them. Our review suggests that in the current climate of economic austerity, available funding to support people with LD is no longer aligned to their care needs. Cuts in disability services have adversely affected the well-being both of people with LD and their informal carers. Individuals with LD have lost social support and are experiencing increased social isolation. Heightened demands on family carers’ time have negatively influenced their wider roles, including parental functioning, and labour market participation. Our review provides the foundations for further discourse and research on the effects of austerity on people with LD and their family carers.

Access source material through DOI

Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Informa UK ltd
ISBN/ISSN
0968-7599
Publication Year
2018
Issue Number
9
Journal Titles
Disability & Society
Volume Number
33
Start Page
1412
End Page
1435