Interdependencies in peer work with people with disability

Abstract

Peer work with people with disability often engages people with lived experience of disability to address social exclusion and isolation experienced by their focus people. This paper discusses findings that are part of a project evaluation wherein peer workers with varied disabilities aimed to support focus people to make community connections for their focus people. Focus people lived in disability group homes in regional New South Wales, Australia, after relocating from a large-scale institution. All lived with complex support needs. Using qualitative methods, researchers interviewed seven peer workers over twelve months about their peer work experiences. Drawing on reflexive thematic analysis the authors argue that successful peer work with people with disability must acknowledge interdependencies across individuals’ identities as people with disability, the environment in which peer work takes place, the structure of support around peer workers, and the systemic drivers of social exclusion.