Using Photovoice to listen to adults with intellectual disabilities on being part of the community

Abstract

Imagine if you were offered a glance through the lens of a very unique photographer: a member of your community who has an intellectual or developmental disability (ID/DD). A community-based participatory research method, Photovoice, was used to enable seven individuals with ID/DD the opportunity to document their lives through the use of photography and discuss their interests, hopes and dreams. Specifically, this methodology provided them with opportunities to share their concerns about their community access and communicate with the larger community using photographs and the collective ideas of the group. Common themes were revealed among the participants, including their hidden talents, community membership and sense of belonging, consumerism and making choices, desired independence, limited connections to the community and a desire to be treated as adults. Two themes – community membership and desire for independence – are expounded upon, as they appeared to be the most relevant to improving one's quality of life and greater self-determination.

Keywords:

• community access
• community-based participatory research
• inclusion
• InFocus
• intellectual/developmental disability
• Photovoice
• self-advocacy

Notes on contributors

Stuart J. Schleien, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). As a Licensed and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, he has developed best practices that have helped parents and professionals design inclusive community services.

Lindsey Brake is a Student Life Advisor, focusing on inclusion with Beyond Academics at UNCG. Ms. Brake's professional background is in therapeutic recreation and community inclusion.

Kimberly D. Miller, MS, CPRP is an AP Assistant Professor and Research Associate in the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation at UNCG. Her research interests have focused on the inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community.

Ginger Walton is the Community Resource Specialist for The Arc of Greensboro. Ms. Walton's professional background is in clinical nursing, where as a family nurse practitioner she provided developmental assessments, education, and guidance for families.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: The development and dissemination of this manuscript was partially supported by Cooperative Agreement No. H325K070330 funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, US Department of Education