Independent living of individuals with intellectual disability: a combined study of the opinions of parents, educational staff, and individuals with intellectual disability in Greece

Abstract

The study of independent living (IL) of individuals with disabilities during the last decades has been in the focus of scientific field of educational and social sciences. The conceptual framework formed around the concept of IL led to practices that have been supporting the idea that IL may be a significant option for individuals with disabilities. Specifically, for individuals with intellectual disability (ID), the goal focuses on the development and implementation of integrated programs of IL in the community. The purpose of this study is to explore the opinions of parents, educators, and individuals with ID about IL. The sample consists of 124 individuals with mild and moderate ID, aged 13 years and plus, 124 parents of individuals with ID and 193 educators. The research tool was exploring five elements: (1) meaning/characteristics of IL, (2) factors affecting IL, (3) limitations of IL, (4) IL skills, and (5) IL settings. An analysis of the results indicates that the concept of IL revolves around housing. Furthermore, the support systems, family and community, were proved as main influence to IL of individuals with ID. Knowledge of safety rules and self-care appears as primary skills. Finally, independent apartments in the city are the ones preferred by individuals themselves, whereas parents and educators prefer a more controlled environment under the supervision of an official body.

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