Communicative practices in the establishment of guardian- or deputyship
Only if you understand and are understood can you represent your own interests within the scope of guardianship or deputyship proceedings. An interdisciplinary team will carry out interviews and observations and review files to determine how the authorities involve persons with a disability in such proceedings.
Project description (ongoing research project)
Guardianship or deputyship measures are subject to administrative proceedings carried out by means of both written and spoken communicative practices by the authorities. The design of communication is essential with regard to actively involving the persons concerned in the proceedings or excluding them from them. This project sets out to provide an in-depth insight into the communicative practices applied in proceedings with persons with communication disabilities in the period between 1970 and today. To this effect, we will survey the persons concerned as well as the authorities involved, review files and analyze hearings. The change in communicative practices will be investigated with due regard for the development of expert discourse. Communication guidelines for the authorities in proceedings involving persons with disabilities will then be worked out.
Background
Even today, persons with communication disabilities still experience not being given the right to having a say. It is before the background of historic change with regard to understanding disability (1970 until today) that we will investigate whether the communicative practices of the authorities have allowed for more participation opportunities and to which degree expert discourse, political and legal developments are put to critical use to this effect (ICF 2001, UN-CRPD 2014, new adult protection law 2013).
Aim
The project aims at providing in-depth understanding of including and excluding communicative practices of the authorities in proceedings with persons with communication disabilities. How are such practices designed? Which is their impact on the possibilities of the persons concerned to comprehend and participate? How have these practices evolved between 1970 and today? The results will be relevant for all persons involved in such proceedings as well as for the authorities and other public bodies.
Relevance
The results will contribute to an empirical foundation for the participation opportunities and barriers for persons with communication disabilities.
The historical analysis of past practices will contribute to a rehabilitation of the persons concerned.
The guidelines on recipient-appropriate communication in proceedings with persons with communication disabilities will be made available to the authorities, the persons concerned, and other interested parties.
Original title
Communicative practices in the establishment of guardian- or deputyship – creating opportunities to understand and participate for individuals with disabilities