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From Social Exclusion to Supported Inclusion: Adults with Intellectual Disability Discuss Their Lived Experiences of a Structured Social Group
Wilson, Nathan J. Jaques, Hayden Johnson, Amanda Brotherton, Michelle
Wilson, Nathan J.
Jaques, Hayden
Johnson, Amanda
Brotherton, Michelle
Abstract
Background 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. Methods Interviews were undertaken with 10 adults with intellectual disability exploring their lived experiences of a supported social group. Data were analysed using descriptive phenomenology. Results 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. Conclusions 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.
Keywords
friends, intellectual disability, meaningfulactivities, relationships, social inclusion, targeted support
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Book
Volume
Issue
Page Range
1-12
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© 2016 The Authors Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.