The impact of housing on inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in their communities cannot be understated. A recent article Living in Localities: The Factors that Influence the Social Inclusion in Neighborhoods of Adults with Intellectual Disability, A Systematic Review looked at how national disability strategies translate into strengthening neighborhoods specific to the social inclusion of adults with IDD, but more importantly, how we shift an inclusive neighborhood from being the exception to the norm. The review goes into great detail about the process of shifting from legal/policy statements to positive results for adults with IDD, and the need to have an in-depth understanding of the barriers and facilitators to their social inclusion in neighborhoods.
The researchers asked two specific questions:
- What characteristics of neighborhoods are reported to facilitate people with ID to participate to their satisfaction?
- What other factors are reported to influence adults with ID in achieving social inclusion in their immediate neighborhoods?
The study defines social inclusion in a neighborhood as focused on both identification with and connection to place, in addition to engagement with people that matter to an adult with ID, in the locality in which they live. The article highlights the need to develop a greater understanding of the connection between affordable housing and inclusion. The characteristics of a neighborhood that were most important to facilitating inclusion were a safe neighborhood that provided ample opportunities to participate, public acceptance of adults with IDD, positive neighborhood experiences, accessibility of buildings, information, and adaptation of activities, as well as flexible transportation options. The findings clearly supported that neighborhoods in which adults with IDD reported they felt safe (day and night) to socialize and use local services facilitated individuals being out and about more, offering repeated encounters and opportunities to become known. In addition, a high value was placed on living close to valued social network members, including family, friends, co-workers, and other community members that they routinely engage with.
Ultimately the review found that where an adult with IDD lived was identified as the underpinning of opportunities for social inclusion in neighborhoods. This of particular importance because as much as where a person lives can increase opportunities for inclusion it can also seriously limit those opportunities. The findings included barriers and limitation for people with IDD associated with unsafe or inaccessible neighborhoods. The authors recommend further research to explore how adults with IDD conceptualize and experience their neighborhoods.
