People with intellectual disabilities: activities, social contacts and opportunities to exert influence (an interview...

The aim of this article is to describe the relationship between activities, social network and the possibility of influencing daily lives for about 24 people with intellectual disabilities. The study is based on data collected through interviews with staff at day centres and in group homes and with one relative. The results indicated that several of the people with intellectual disabilities had little or no opportunity to exert influence on choice of activities or social contacts. The study also suggests that if the environment makes it possible for people with intellectual disabilities to make choices, learn social competence and technical know-how and to communicate, it will support the opportunity for choosing activities, participating and influencing. Increased possibilities for communication are one way of changing the balance of power. An important factor for the participants was relatives and contact people, those participants who have these had more variation in their activities and in more different environments. The study shows that it is important to offer different experiences to people with intellectual disabilities in order that they learn to take initiatives and try new things.