Exploring the Inequalities and Diversities in Disabled Young Adult Transitions, 2023-2025

Disability and Youth Transitions was a 3-year ESRC-funded project that explored the experiences of disabled young people as they move towards adulthood. The research focuses on central Scotland and the North East of England and was led by researchers at Newcastle University, the University of Glasgow and University of York. The project set out to understand more about all aspects of disabled young people's lives including education and training, housing, employment and volunteering, health and social care, social lives and relationships exploring what works and what does not work in supporting disabled young people during this crucial period of their lives. The project produced a number of academic and policy related outputs. The study was co-produced with a Project Advisory Group representing local and regional Disability and Youth Organisations. A separate group of disabled young people (the "Voices of Lived Experience" group), ensured lived experience was harnessed throughout the project. The project followed 43 disabled young people aged 16 to 29 over a period of eighteen months, using a first interview, follow up interview, and creative methodologies (e.g. drawing, photography, creative writing). To gain additional insights, we interviewed parents (27) of disabled young people, other family members (2) and professionals (33) in education, social care, health care, the voluntary sector and disability advocacy. The data collection consists of professionally transcribed interview transcripts from semi-structured interviews with disabled young people, family members and professionals. Transcripts are only included where express consent was secured for deposit in the UK Data Service. Creative data are excluded as well as interviews that were not transcribed and relied on the researcher’s notes.