The intellectual and developmental disability shared citizenship paradigm: its cross‐cultural status, implementation and confirmation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dramatic changes in societal approaches to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and the services and supports they receive are reflected in a new paradigm that we name the shared citizenship paradigm. The shared citizenship paradigm (1) incorporates an updated and contemporary set of values and beliefs about people with IDD and their right to participate fully in all aspects of life and society; (2) is characterised by a holistic approach to IDD, a contextual model of human functioning, disability rights principles and person-centred implementation strategies; (3) incorporates the exponential growth in knowledge about the causes and characteristics of IDD and factors influencing the elimination of barriers to positive outcomes for people with IDD; and (4) is reflected in international covenants, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and in international policy goals and associated personal outcome domains. METHOD: We conducted a preliminary survey on the cross-cultural status of the shared citizenship paradigm with a small purposefully sampled international group of professionals known to have extensive knowledge, experience, and publications regarding their country's current IDD-related policies and practices. RESULTS: One or more paradigm components were evident to a moderate degree in the respondents' countries, and the paradigm is being used to provide individualised services and supports, to guide organisation transformation and systems change, and, to a lesser degree, to frame evidence-based inquiry. CONCLUSIONS: Core components of the shared citizenship paradigm are present internationally. To further enhance implementation and confirmation of the paradigm, we propose implementation strategies and confirmation techniques.

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