Community involvement in promoting inclusion, participation and self‐determination

Abstract

Over the last few decades, advances and innovations in the field of disability and disability supports have resulted in changes in the way in which disability itself is understood and conceptualised. These changes, which embrace a person–environment fit model of disability, have obvious implications for disability supports and research. Within such conceptualisations, more attention must be given to the interaction between people with disability and the environments in which they live, learn, work and play. As such, there has been increased attention to the rights of people with disabilities to be fully included in their communities and to the importance of self‐determination, participation and quality of life. This emphasis also underscores the important roles family members, teachers, peers, health service providers and volunteers play in promoting community inclusion. This article examines these changes and innovations in depth and provides recommendations to facilitate the involvement of community members in promoting inclusion, participation and self‐determination.

Keywords:

• community
• disability
• inclusion
• participation
• self‐determination
• quality of life