Social Inclusion of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Toward Belonging

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Disability Studies
• Psychology

Background:

• Social inclusion and exclusion significantly impact individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
• Contemporary understanding often lacks a focus on adults' lived experiences and sense of belonging.
• An ecological model provides a framework to analyze social inclusion through participation and relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the contemporary understanding of social inclusion for adults with IDD.
• To analyze social inclusion focusing on participation and relationships across the adult lifespan.
• To identify strategies for supporting social inclusion while acknowledging challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review structured by Simplican et al.'s (2015) ecological model.
• Analysis of research focusing on adults' views and experiences of social inclusion.
• Examination of community participation, relationships, and life course factors.

Main Results:

• Social inclusion involves diverse community participation and varied relationships across the lifespan.
• Factors such as age-related mobility, retirement, and end-of-life impact inclusive participation.
• Challenges like loneliness and safety concerns are significant barriers to social inclusion.

Conclusions:

• Supporting social inclusion requires a focus on meaningful participation and diverse relationships.
• Addressing life course transitions and individual challenges is crucial for enhancing belonging.
• Future research should continue to explore strategies for fostering positive social inclusion for adults with IDD.