An Exploratory Study of the Future Direction of Lifelong Education Curriculum for Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Focusing on FGI Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the identity of Lifelong Education Curriculum for Developmental Disabilities (LECDD), and compare with Lifelong Education Program. We employed Focus Group Interview with main Stack holder (i.e., Professionals, Educators). As results of analysis, there have been growing needs for for changes in LECDD by rapidly changed society, enacting new legislation, strongly highlighting national wide the accountability. Also, the result suggested that the LECDD should play a an important role in guide the provision of lifelong education program, in which several institutions can provide each individual program. The LECDD, thus, have a nature of stability rather than instantly changing the concepts or themes. Currently, the fields of lifelong education require the specific manual or examples of practical implementation of LECDD. In addition, LECDD max out the characteristics of universal design so as to reflect each lifespan. Simultaneously, LECDD can modify and adap the need from individual difference not only for disabilities but also other differences. We strongly recommend that the concept of normalization, social role valorization, inclusion of community etc should be collaborated as a team for success of LECDD.