Abstract
Aim: Through this action research, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) explore and reflect on changes in their lives through embodied memories of dress. Method: 16 people with IDD and 7 informal carers of a similar age participated in workshops facilitated by staff trained in delivering reminiscence work. Reminiscence memory boxes were provided containing items relating to fashion through the decades. Each participant brought items of clothing which were meaningful to them and talked about them in an informal context. All participants took part equally with carers offering support to individuals with IDD to exhibit their chosen items. Results: Four themes were identified: fashion and clothes linked to past positive and negative memories; wider associations made from fashion and clothing; fashion and clothing as an expression of personal identity; and the importance of personal choice of fashion and clothing. Conclusions: Clothes and fashion are important to how individuals with IDD perceive themselves, and how quality of life issues (I.e., choice and empowerment) are bound up in tangible items such as clothes. Heritage is helpful for exploring the identities of people with IDD.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 782-782 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Journal of Intellectual Disability Research |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 7-8 |
| Early online date | 22 Jul 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Aug 2016 |
| Event | International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, World Congress, 15-19 Aug 2016, Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne, Australia Duration: 15 Aug 2016 → 19 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- Fashion
- intellectual disabilities