Publishing an open access book on psychosocial support methods for people with intellectual disabilities  | Open Access | University of Groningen Library | University of Groningen

"Together with colleagues, I try to answer practical questions arising from intellectual disability care with scientific research and education. I do that as part of my work for UG/UMCG and as head of the Department of Practice-oriented Scientific Research (PWO) at Alliade, a Frisian organization that provides care for about 7,000 people with intellectual disabilities. Research results are obviously not written for the desk drawer or exclusively for researchers, but should really benefit people with intellectual disabilities and care workers.

The research team embraces the open access policy advocated by both UG and Alliade. Alliade has its own research department. Many smaller care organizations, such as care farms, so-called Thomashuizen [ed.: residential facilities for people with intellectual disabilities], do not have these opportunities. But they do struggle with the same practical questions. Diamond open access publishing is therefore a noblesse oblige for us: we share all results publicly and thus avoid reinventing the wheel elsewhere. People with intellectual disabilities in Friesland are really no different from those in Groningen or Limburg. Please let everyone benefit from research, so that we contribute together to appropriate care and improve the quality of life of this vulnerable group. This is important in a time of staff shortages, pressure on finances and where the complexity of issues in disability care is increasing...."