Exploring leisure and retirement for people with intellectual disabilities

ABSTRACT

The present study explored the retirement and leisure experiences and perceptions of 31 people with intellectual disabilities living in community accommodation, as well as the perceptions of 21 significant others and 4 service providers in relation to the participants’ retirement and leisure experiences. Participants were either currently participating in paid work of at least 15 hours per week or had retired from paid work of at least 15 hours per week. Participants’ current participation in leisure activities, leisure aspirations for retirement, and experiences and perceptions of barriers to leisure participation were explored. Findings indicated that participants’ current leisure participation predominantly reflected Stebbins’ [1997. “Casual Leisure: A Conceptual Statement.” Leisure Studies 16: 17–25] definition of ‘casual leisure’ and many activities were in-home based. However, most participants expressed the desire to participate in more leisure activities and reported that their current participation was restricted by a number of barriers. Restrictions were likely to be greater as people retired.

KEYWORDS:

• Leisure
• retirement
• aspirations
• participation
• perceptions
• intellectual disability

Notes on contributors

Caroline Ellison, Associate Professor, is a Developmental Educator, education practitioner and consultant. Caroline's Ph.D. explored ‘Leisure in Retirement for Individuals with Intellectual Disability’. Caroline teaches in the Disability and Community Inclusion Unit at Flinders University of South Australia as well as Education in the Certificate of Special Education in Singapore which is a collaboration between Flinders University and The Singapore Social Training Institute (SSTI). Caroline has a strong commitment to the active inclusion of all people in our communities, particularly those experiencing discrimination and disadvantage. Caroline innovates around teaching by facilitating learning for local and external students using technology. Caroline possesses significant skills in research and working collaboratively with stakeholders living with disability. Special interests include: Leisure, Arts, Learning through Play, Social and Emotional Development, Ageing, Protective Behaviours and Sexuality, Community Development, Social Inclusion, Active Participation, Community Based Learning in Higher Education, Qualitative Methodologies, Restless Dance Theatre, Tutti Ensemble and Community Living Project.

Amy White is a Developmental Educator and previously studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies) and a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (Honours). Amy was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of South Australia in May 2011. Amy is passionate about promoting the rights, choices and inclusion of all people (particularly people with disability and people from other disadvantaged backgrounds), assisting people to access equal opportunities, assisting people to access the supports they require to achieve their goals and a good life, and educating the community about issues relating to disability, disadvantage and discrimination through policy development and research. Amy is a Research Assistant in the Disability and Community Inclusion Unit at Flinders University of South Australia and has worked on research relating to leisure and retirement for people with intellectual disability, cancer screening participation of people with intellectual disability, the decision-making, choice and control of older people living in residential aged care facilities, and the improvement of dementia diagnostic services. Amy has also tutored in the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education.

Notes

1 Centrelink is a service delivered by the Australian Government Department of Human Services and supports people with payments and services at times of major change. People supported by Centrelink include those with disabilities, seniors and job seekers.