From Social Exclusion to Supported Inclusion: Adults with Intellectual Disability Discuss Their Lived Experiences of a Structured Social Group
Open Access
- 24 August 2016
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
- Vol. 30 (5), 847-858
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12275
Abstract
People with intellectual disability often have few friends and experience social exclusion. Recognising this gap, supported social groups with the aim of inclusion and interdependence were created by a supported employment provider. Interviews were undertaken with 10 adults with intellectual disability exploring their lived experiences of a supported social group. Data were analysed using descriptive phenomenology. Two themes emerged (i) supported engagement fosters wellbeing, and (ii) developing social belonging and connectedness. Participants not only acknowledged the support that they needed to participate, but also that the social group had changed their lives in many ways. Adults with intellectual disability want to socialise, have friends and be part of their community. For this to be achieved, they recognise the need to seek some form of support. With appropriate and targeted support, adults with intellectual disability can move from social exclusion towards supported inclusion and experience richer lives.This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Structure of Informal Social Networks of Persons with Profound Intellectual and Multiple DisabilitiesJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2014
- Embedding sustainable physical activities into the everyday lives of adults with intellectual disabilities: a randomised controlled trialBMC Public Health, 2014
- Vulnerability to Loneliness in People with Intellectual Disability: An Explanatory ModelJournal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 2014
- Mobility and Public Transport Use Abilities of Children and Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Results From the 3‐Year Nordhorn Public Transportation Intervention StudyJournal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 2013
- Social Inclusion and Community Participation of Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental DisabilitiesIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2013
- Living with Stigma and the Self-Perceptions of People with Mild Intellectual DisabilitiesJournal of Social Issues, 2010
- The entangled geographies of social exclusion/inclusion for people with learning disabilitiesHealth & Place, 2005
- Community Integration or Community Exposure? A Review and Discussion in Relation to People with an Intellectual DisabilityJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 2003
- Friendships and Adaptation Across the Life SpanCurrent Directions in Psychological Science, 1999
- Rigor in Qualitative Research: The Assessment of TrustworthinessAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1991