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Supporting People with Learning Disabilities as Arts Participants: Examining the Perspectives of Their Support Workers

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Title: Supporting People with Learning Disabilities as Arts Participants: Examining the Perspectives of Their Support Workers
Language: English
Authors: Aline Verbeke (ORCID 0000-0002-5237-4130), Koen Lombaerts (ORCID 0000-0002-6073-0254), Geert Vandermeersche (ORCID 0000-0001-6553-508X), Free De Backer (ORCID 0000-0002-4196-5082)
Source: British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 2026 54(2):237-245.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Learning Disabilities, Art Activities, Foreign Countries, Cultural Activities, Creative Activities, Employee Attitudes, Participation, Day Programs, Allied Health Personnel
Geographic Terms: Belgium
DOI: 10.1111/bld.70030
ISSN: 1354-4187
1468-3156
Abstract: Background: People with learning disabilities often rely on support workers in order to take part in arts activities. Yet people with learning disabilities' arts participation remains low, and we know little about how support workers facilitate this. This study, therefore, examines support workers' perspectives on arts participation in the context of their practice. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six support workers from a Belgian day centre and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Support workers primarily view arts participation in terms of creative and cultural activities for people with learning disabilities. They distinguish these activities from what they refer to as 'real' art, which they associate with arts institutions (such as art museums or theatre venues). Such institutional or 'high' arts are largely absent from their practice, a gap they attribute to a perceived lack of interest or ability from people they support, as well as to structural accessibility barriers. Conclusions: The study highlights that support workers' concept of 'real' art aligns with a view of art that is, at its core, inaccessible. Transforming arts institutions to better accommodate people with learning disabilities and their support workers can expand the forms of arts participation currently available to them, particularly in the realm of high arts. Integrating art education into the training of support workers can further enhance this access.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505979
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Supporting People with Learning Disabilities as Arts Participants: Examining the Perspectives of Their Support Workers
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aline+Verbeke%22">Aline Verbeke</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5237-4130">0000-0002-5237-4130</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Koen+Lombaerts%22">Koen Lombaerts</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6073-0254">0000-0002-6073-0254</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Geert+Vandermeersche%22">Geert Vandermeersche</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6553-508X">0000-0001-6553-508X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Free+De+Backer%22">Free De Backer</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4196-5082">0000-0002-4196-5082</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22British+Journal+of+Learning+Disabilities%22"><i>British Journal of Learning Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2026 54(2):237-245.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Disabilities%22">Learning Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Art+Activities%22">Art Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Activities%22">Cultural Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Creative+Activities%22">Creative Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employee+Attitudes%22">Employee Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Participation%22">Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Day+Programs%22">Day Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Belgium%22">Belgium</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/bld.70030
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  Data: 1354-4187<br />1468-3156
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  Data: Background: People with learning disabilities often rely on support workers in order to take part in arts activities. Yet people with learning disabilities' arts participation remains low, and we know little about how support workers facilitate this. This study, therefore, examines support workers' perspectives on arts participation in the context of their practice. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six support workers from a Belgian day centre and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Support workers primarily view arts participation in terms of creative and cultural activities for people with learning disabilities. They distinguish these activities from what they refer to as 'real' art, which they associate with arts institutions (such as art museums or theatre venues). Such institutional or 'high' arts are largely absent from their practice, a gap they attribute to a perceived lack of interest or ability from people they support, as well as to structural accessibility barriers. Conclusions: The study highlights that support workers' concept of 'real' art aligns with a view of art that is, at its core, inaccessible. Transforming arts institutions to better accommodate people with learning disabilities and their support workers can expand the forms of arts participation currently available to them, particularly in the realm of high arts. Integrating art education into the training of support workers can further enhance this access.
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      – SubjectFull: Art Activities
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – TitleFull: Supporting People with Learning Disabilities as Arts Participants: Examining the Perspectives of Their Support Workers
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