Honor the Past. Then Get Over It.

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 409-413
Author(s):  
Sue Swenson

Abstract This speech was presented at a conference, the National Goals in Research, Policy, and Practice, held in Washington, DC, on August 6-7, 2015. The conference was a working meeting to summarize the current state of knowledge and identify a platform of national goals in research, practice, and policy in intellectual and developmental disabilities. The meeting was jointly organized by the Research and Training Center on Community Living, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota; Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Developmental Disabilities and Health, Institute on Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois Chicago; Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Advancing Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston; The Arc of the United States; Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD); and American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), with the support of National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

Inclusion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalun Zhang ◽  
Cheryl Grenwelge ◽  
Stefania Petcu

Abstract In an era of globalization, receiving postsecondary education (PSE) becomes necessary for young adults to gain meaningful employment and earn a decent income that supports his or her independent living. The same is true for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire for inclusive employment and community living. However, although an increasing number of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have participated in various formats of PSE, this population is still severely underserved. Moreover, those who receive PSE are sometimes simply gaining a college experience or learning functional skills on college campuses. The purpose of this article is to present inclusive employment outcomes of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who graduated from the Postsecondary Access and Training in Human Services (PATHS) program. These individuals' successful stories demonstrate that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can complete a PSE program focusing on employment outcomes and start a professional career.


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Ann Racino

This article reports on a multisite qualitative research study designed to better understand how the selected organizations support adults with developmental disabilities in community life. In particular, the study investigated the five characteristics potentially critical for service reconfiguration from a facility-based residential services model (e.g., group home, supervised apartments) to a housing and support approach (i.e., supporting adults to live in their own homes). Semistructured interviews and observations were conducted with informants at a purposeful sample of five agency sites in New Hampshire, Minnesota, California, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The results indicated the following target areas for further research and applied change strategies: the distinctions between the theoretical and practical frameworks of community integration and independent living, personal changes in the relationship of individuals with each other in daily life, structural changes on the part of agencies and service systems, and “community” changes in acceptance, stigma, and power relationships. The author discusses the implications of these findings for further service development and research in community living for people with developmental disabilities in the United States.


Inclusion ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik W. Carter

Abstract An important aspect of supporting many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to flourish involves providing meaningful opportunities to participate in the spiritual and religious life of their community. Yet, a review of prevailing practices suggests the spirituality and faith community connections of individuals with intellectual disability, autism, and other developmental disabilities may be inconsistently supported or entirely overlooked. This article suggests an initial framework for research, policy, and practice aimed at fostering inclusion at the intersection of disability, religion, and spirituality. Recommendations are offered for designing services and supports that ensure that (a) people with disabilities can participate fully in inclusive spiritual and religious activities, (b) congregations develop the commitment and capacity to welcome people with disabilities and their families, (c) families receive support in ways that honor their faith commitments and connections, and (d) service systems support people with disabilities and their families in comprehensive and culturally competent ways.


Inclusion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 258-273
Author(s):  
Martin Agran ◽  
Fred Spooner ◽  
Colleen Robertson

Abstract The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) hosted the National Goals in Research, Policy, and Practice working meeting in August, 2015, to identify key national policies, priorities, and practices to serve and support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at the secondary level. The purpose of this article is to extend the discussion of several topics discussed at the meeting and suggest future research areas in the areas of: academic instruction; social skills training; balancing/aligning academic, functional, and transition education skills; importance of health and safety skills; extending common core standards to include functional and transition skills; teaching and realizing self-determination skills; preparing students with IDD for postsecondary educational opportunities; weighing the respective benefits of inclusive and community-based instructional activities; and promoting citizenship (teaching voting skills). To ensure quality secondary-level programs for students with IDD, the authors recommend that the above content areas be considered.


Inclusion ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Nord ◽  
Allison Barkoff ◽  
John Butterworth ◽  
Dawn Carlson ◽  
Robert Cimera ◽  
...  

Abstract Employment in general workforce and economic self-sufficiency continue to be the exceptions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), rather than the norm. Research, policy, and practice can and should play a coordinated role in solving this problem. This article summarizes the methods used and the consensus-based national goals identified to guide the direction of the field that were developed by experts in the field. A discussion of the implications of the findings is also provided, including the need for advocacy to advance the goals.


Inclusion ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan M. Burke ◽  
Catherine K. Arnold ◽  
Aleksa L. Owen

Abstract As individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live longer and begin to outlive their parents, siblings take on greater supportive roles including advocacy. Yet, little is known about the ways in which siblings advocate with and for their brothers and sisters with IDD as well as for broad, systemic changes. In this study, we conducted four focus groups (N = 18) with siblings of individuals with IDD. We found that siblings defined and engaged in case advocacy (i.e., advocacy on behalf of their brothers and sisters with IDD) and cause advocacy (i.e., advocacy for larger systemic changes). Regarding case advocacy, siblings were motivated to advocate to secure appropriate services for their brothers and sisters. For cause advocacy, siblings attempted to create sweeping changes for individuals with IDD by educating others and participating in collective advocacy methods. Regardless of the type of advocacy, all siblings felt they needed more information and peer support to effectively advocate. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.


Inclusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carli Friedman ◽  
Natasha A. Spassiani

Abstract Despite an increased number of community-based services, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to struggle with meaningful community participation and often feel they are not valued community members. This study examined how community support services, which support physical placement and community integration, were allocated in Medicaid 1915(c) HCBS waivers, the largest provider of long-term services and supports for people with IDD in the United States. Community support services totaled $447.5 million of projected funding in fiscal year 2014. While community transition services funded expenses required to establish a basic household for the initial transition, community integration services promoted a successful community placement by utilizing natural supports and developing skills necessary to maintain community integration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (02) ◽  
pp. 088-100
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Purtell ◽  
Arya Ansari ◽  
Qingqing Yang ◽  
Caroline P. Bartholomew

AbstractAlmost 5 million children attend preschool in the United States each year. Recent attention has been paid to the ways in which preschool classrooms shape children's early language development. In this article, we discuss the importance of peers and classroom composition through the lens of age and socioeconomic status and the implications for children's early learning and development. We also discuss the direct and indirect mechanisms through which classroom peers may shape each other's language development. As part of this discussion, we focus on exposure to peer language and engagement with peers, along with teachers' classroom practices. We conclude by discussing the ways in which teachers can ensure that children in classrooms of different compositions reap the maximum benefit, along with implications for research, policy, and practice.


Inclusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan M. Burke ◽  
Chung eun Lee ◽  
Moon Y. Chung ◽  
Kristina Rios ◽  
Catherine K. Arnold ◽  
...  

Abstract With recent policy changes and case-law decisions, there are more opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live independently in inclusive settings. It is necessary to identify malleable correlates of community living options to develop interventions to increase inclusive, independent living. To this end, 546 parents and siblings of adults with IDD responded to a national survey. According to parent and sibling report, adults with IDD were more likely to live outside of the family home when the family engaged in future planning, the individual had more informal supports and more functional abilities and had parents with fewer caregiving abilities. Among the 187 adults with IDD who lived outside of the family home, individuals with more problem behaviors and fewer functional abilities were more likely to live in larger group homes (versus independently with or without supports). Further, when the family engaged in more future planning activities, adults with disabilities were more likely to live in a group home (versus independently). When parents had fewer caregiving abilities, adults with disabilities were more likely to live in bigger group homes (versus independently). Implications for policymakers, practitioners, and research are discussed.


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