Enablers and barriers of social inclusion for young adults with intellectual disability: A multidimensional view

Abstract

Background Factors that enhance the social exclusion and limit the social inclusion of adults with intellectual disability undermine their health and wellbeing. Thus it is important to reduce the impact of such factors. This may be achieved by deepening the understanding of the enablers and barriers to social inclusion, which were explored in this study using a multidimensional framework (O'Brien, J. (1989). What's worth working for? Leadership for better quality human services. Lithonia, GA: Responsive Systems Associates. Retrieved from http://thechp.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/whatsw. pdf) and the reports of young adults with intellectual disability, and family members, who were involved in an inclusive community leisure program. Method Interview data from 4 young adults and a parent and a sister were (1) thematically analysed, and (2) the resulting thematic structure was further analysed for enablers and barriers to social inclusion using the multidimensional framework. General observations conducted by the researcher on most participants, which were member checked, were used to validate the information gathered in the interviews. Results Seven primary themes emerged from the initial thematic analysis. Further analyses of the initial thematic structure using the multidimensional framework revealed 24 enablers and 10 barriers to the social inclusion of young adults. Conclusion Social inclusion of the young adults was influenced by enablers and barriers appearing across multiple dimensions. Implications for best service practice with young adults and their families to enable movement toward social inclusion are discussed.

From Social Exclusion to Supported Inclusion: Adults with Intellectual Disability Discuss Their Lived Experiences of a Structured Social Group

“…Although an unquestioned right‐based commitment to social inclusion has progressed disability policy and practice, many people with intellectual disability still face barriers to social inclusion (Van Asselt et al . ). Reinders () argued that inclusion for people with disabilities relies more on their social networks rather than any declaration of their rights.…”

“…; Van Asselt et al . ). More specific physical barriers include living too far away from friends, travel problems, lack of time, insufficient money, fear of going out, health problems and inadequate support (Emerson & Hatton ).…”

Intellectual disability stigma and initiatives to challenge it and promote inclusion around the globe

“…In addition, though, what is needed is a willingness to accept and include people with IDs at community and societal level. As Cummins and Lau () and others have noted, achieving physical inclusion in local communities and wider society is important but not sufficient to achieving acceptance and meaningful social inclusion for children and adults with IDs (Merrells, Buchanan, & Waters, ; Van Asselt, Buchanan, & Peterson, ; Wilson, Jaques, Johnson, & Brotherton, ). Few comparative global data are available to judge what attitudes are commonly held toward people with IDs, to what extent prejudice and discrimination continue to pose major challenges, or what is being done to challenge stigma associated with ID in line with the CRPD Article 8.…”

A systematic review evaluating the psychometric properties of measures of social inclusion

“…The assumption being, social connectedness and belonging are key to quality of life [ 12 ]. In practice, the social inclusion of service users has incorporated five interdependent aspects of human experience: the growth of relationships, choice and control, experiencing socially valued roles, sharing ordinary places, and contributions [ 13 , 14 ]. The five aspects are not easily measured and while relative to individual service user’s contexts, enactment of agency and the dynamics associated with their specific lives [ 8 ], do not always take into account structural factors.…”