Decision-making by community residents with an intellectual disability

Abstract

In an exploratory investigation, 20 residents with mild or moderate intellectual disability and 17 staff in Community Residential Units responded to questionnaires about decision-making by residents in areas of major life activity. Residents generally reported a greater participation in decision-making than was suggested by staff responses. Areas in which residents were reported by staff to have least say in decisions affecting their lives were living situation, choice of work, and health. Some decisions are made without consultation with the resident concerned. Responses to additional questions indicated that staff believe residents should be encouraged to participate in decision-making, but in practice are constrained by a perceived lack of resources or available options, or a lack of decision-making skills on the part of the resident.