Abstract:
Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) as a group have been subject to abuse.
Individuals with ID need to be made aware of their rights. The 3Rs: Rights, Respect and
Responsibility Human Rights Project is promoting rights awareness in individuals with
ID, their caregivers and family members. To be effeCtive, abuse prevention must include
support from the whole organization and its processes. This research evaluated the
impact of the 3Rs initiative on the organization. It focused particularly on descriptions of
organizational change perceived by full-time staff and managers in response to the
initiation of the 3Rs Project. Behavioural interviews were conducted and a thematic
analysis was used to describe changes in the organizational culture and behavioural
mechanisms maintaining these changes. Systemic barriers to change were also explored.
The results indicate that the Association is effectively implementing and supporting the
rights-based philosophy.
