(Re)Claiming Adulthood: Learning Disabilities and Social Policy in Ontario

Abstract

In this article, I will first explore the definition and significance of 'adulthood' for participants with learning disabilities in a disability self advocacy movement. In particular, I will focus on self identified markers of the transition to adult status. I will then examine the process of marginalisation as made manifest in government policy of the late 1990s within the province of Ontario, Canada. Finally, I will discuss the response of disability self-advocates to this policy initiative as evidence of the significance of adult status for persons with disabilities. This article is based on research conducted between September of 1997 and January 2003. During this time, I conducted over one hundred hours of combined interviews and participation observation with a local chapter of People First of Ontario (PFO) in the city of Welland (People First Welland, PFW).