“If I Was the Boss of My Local Government”: Perspectives of People with Intellectual Disabilities on Improving Inclusion

Abstract

Despite many initiatives to reframe and support inclusion for people with disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities continue to experience social exclusion in their local communities. This study shares the perspectives of people with an intellectual disability on what matters to them in their local communities. This study aims to inform local governments of the value of engaging with and listening to local people with intellectual disabilities and is an important exploration of how the social sustainability of cities is framed and valued by people who have historically been socially and geographically excluded. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in six local government areas, with a mix of metropolitan and regional areas, in two states of Australia—NSW and Victoria. The study analysed how 45 Australian adults with intellectual disabilities described their local communities and conceptualised better inclusion. The results were collated and organised by applying an adapted framework of inclusive cities. The participants expressed the need for safe, accessible and clean public amenities; accessible information; appropriate communication; and for people to be more respectful, friendly and understanding of the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. This study suggests that local governments can take action in order to improve social sustainability by engaging with local people with intellectual disabilities as citizens, advisors and employees, and by educating the wider community about respect and social inclusion for all.

Involving people with intellectual disability in setting priorities for building community inclusion at a local government level

“…The research reported in this paper informs the results of a wider project designed to build the capacity of local governments in Australia to include people with intellectual disability in all aspects of citizen life with their Local Government Area (Carnemolla, Kelly, et al, 2021). Being embedded within local communities, local governments are well placed to lead the wider community towards social inclusion (Möller, 2020).…”

“…They did not want to be singled out as a particular group in need of specialist attention, but highlighted opportunities to think more broadly, collectively, about people who experience exclusion for a range of reasons. This emphasis connects to a growing body of scholarship on intersectionality (Carnemolla et al, 2021; Monro & Richardson, 2010; Richards et al, 2018), pointing to the multiple intersecting identities that all community members hold, and raising questions about how policy makers and local planners can, in turn, take a more holistic and nuanced approach.…”

Cognitive and Functional Differences in Aging with and without Intellectual Disabilities: Observational Study

“…Recent studies have shown the importance of factors that improve healthy aging, ensure the social inclusion of the elderly, and prolong the time in which they can live independent lives [25]. Improving social sustainability in people with ID would mean improving social inclusion [26].…”

Tourism Experiences of People with Disabilities: Voices from Indonesia

“…A study carried out in Australia reported that the local government should listen to the voices of people with disabilities and value their input as an important exploration related to how the social sustainability of cities is framed [91]. Additionally, it is believed that tourist participation in tourism planning results in better support and attitudes, thereby leading to a more successful industry [92,93].…”