Older Women With Intellectual Disabilities: Overcoming Barriers to Autonomy

Abstract

Abstract Women with intellectual disabilities often experience limitations to their autonomy despite the enactment of international treaties, such as United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the World Health Organization's Active Ageing: A Policy Framework. The authors examined the perception of autonomy experienced by 55 older women with intellectual disabilities resident in New South Wales (Australia) and Czech Republic (Europe). The aim was to identify factors both limiting and contributing to a perception of autonomy held by older‐aged women with intellectual disabilities. The women were recruited via support groups, employment agencies for persons with disabilities, day centers, sheltered workshops, self‐advocacy groups, and nongovernmental organizations. The women were interviewed and the data from the interviews were analyzed following a grounded theory approach. The study identified two factors with potential to limit autonomy of women with intellectual disabilities: (1) intra‐individual factors (e.g., health issues); and (2) environmental factors (e.g., living arrangements, finances). Drawing on responses from the women, the authors propose factors that may have a potential to strengthen autonomy among these women. The implications of the findings were reviewed and it is suggested that families and service providers should be made aware of ways to support autonomy of older women with intellectual disabilities.

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