The deinstitutionalization of St. Nicholas Hospital: II lifestyle, community contact and family attitudes

Quality of life issues in the development and evaluation of services for people with intellectual disability

“…Furthermore, Cummins, Polzin, and Theobald (1990b) found that both the percentage of residents involved in external activities and their frequency of involvement increased threefold following their move from an institution to community-based accommodation. Similarly, Cummins and Dunt (1990) observed a significant increase in the range and frequency of leisure activities, and an increase in the normality of the residents' lifestyles as indicated by daily routines following relocation from an institution to the community. DI and CI have also helped to redress the debilitating and detrimental behavioural effects of institutionalisation ( Barton, 1959;Wing, 1962;Szasz, 1970), including unquestioning compliance with rules, an absence of assertive action, a lack of spontaneity, inflexibility and inability to adapt to changing social demands, egocentric preoccupation with bodily functions, as well as an inability to establish relationships (Goffman, 1962).…”

Deinstitutionalisation of persons with intellectual disabilities: A review of Australian studies

“…Overall satisfaction for some sections of the questionnaire were also rated on a five-point scale ranging from "very happy" to "very unhappy." Cummins and Dunt (1990) developed four questionnaires to assess changes in (a) clients' routines and activities, (b) parents' knowledge and attitudes towards their child's relocation to the community, (c) nature of the client's day program, and (d) a police contact questionnaire was designed to determine if the clients had been involved in any incidents that would require police involvement. These four questionnaires were completed by relevant third-party informants (staff, parents).…”

Deinstitutionalization of St Nicholas Hospital. IV: A four-year follow-up of resident life-style

“…In this regard, Balla (1976) concluded that parental and community involvement may be enhanced in community based facilities, and this has since been confirmed by Landesman-Dwyer (1983) and Cummins and Dunt (1990). However, the above reports are all based upon evaluations conducted shortly after the move to CRUs.…”

“…Comparisons were made with data previously reported by Cummins and Dunt (1990). This total data base consisted of three sets of measurements made at the following average times:…”

“…Landesman-Dwyer (1983) reported that whereas in an institution residents spent 5 per cent of their time alone and 47 per cent in groups of 10+, in a CRU they spent 19 per cent of their time alone, 23 per cent with one other person and 22 per cent with 5+ people. Cummins and Dunt (1990), and Dunt and Cummins (1990) reported changes to resident routines and activities which were clearly indicative of increased personal freedom and autonomy, and which were also associated with an increased development of life skills.…”