This book pushes the boundaries in the way we approach people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, and in how we work with them in education and research. While it is grounded in diverse theoretical frameworks and disciplines, the book coheres around a commitment to seeing people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities as equal citizens who belong in our classrooms, research projects and community lives. Each section covers policy contexts, key ideas and recent research. Featuring contributions from around the world, the book incorporates established and new voices, different disciplines and experiences. Additionally, it includes pieces from family members of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Divided into three parts, the book explores three main topics: Belonging in education Belonging in research Belonging in communities Belonging for People with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities is an invaluable resource for scholars, professionals and postgraduate research students with an interest in children or adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

This book examines belonging as a key protective factor for enhancing resilience for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It focuses on understanding intellectual and developmental disabilities and resilience from systemic and social-ecological perspectives, emphasizing the roles of professionals, families, and communities in combating long-standing segregation and health disparities experienced by individuals and families. The volume explores the dimensions of belonging across diverse professional fields using a person-centered approach that acknowledges the significant lifelong role of family members and emphasizes reflective practice for professionals. Chapters present research and innovative strategies to facilitate belonging when working alongside individuals and families. Key areas of coverage include: Family-professional partnerships in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across lifespan and community contexts. Spirituality, mental health, and identity in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research ethics and design in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The diverse needs, desires, and preferences of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The importance of individualized planning and approaches in fostering belonging for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Belonging and Resilience in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities is a valuable resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and related professionals in developmental psychology, family studies, public health, and social work as well as related disciplines, including education policy and politics, behavioral health, and psychiatry.

This volume explores innovative perspectives and practices regarding social inclusion of potentially marginalized individuals from multiple perspectives.

Everyone wants to belong. Shelly Christensen, an international leader in faith community disability inclusion, gives step-by-step guidance to any faith-based organization committed to welcoming and including people with disabilities and mental health conditions. An essential and practical tool for your journey of inclusion.

This book takes as its starting point the concept of 'the good life' and the challenge of ensuring people with intellectual disabilities are included in 'the good life.' The book explores the values underpinning current discourses of disability, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and proposes some alternative approaches to theory and practice. It deconstructs key concepts, theories, and practices within the learning disability field in the post institution era, and it identifies the values, strengths, and limits of these approaches. The book explores the boundaries around those included in the category 'disabled,' those on its margins, and those who move in and out of this category. It also proposes some alternative formulations to existing theories and practices, and explores their practical implications for the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Using evidence from the UK, Australia, Bangladesh, and the Republic of Ireland, People with Intellectual Disabilities bu

Draws on a unique 3-year action research study that surveyed daily life and residents' experiences. Provides evidence-based strategic and practical suggestions for ways that staff and organisations can improve quality of life for residents. Authors from La Trobe University, Australia.

Discussions surrounding inclusivity have grown exponentially in recent years. In today’s world where diversity, equity, and inclusion are the hot topics in all aspects of society, it is more important than ever to define what it means to be an inclusive society, as well as challenges and potential growth. Those with physical and intellectual disabilities, including vision and hearing impairment, Down syndrome, locomotor disability, and more continue to face challenges of accessibility in their daily lives, especially when facing an increasingly digitalized society. It is crucial that research is brought up to date on the latest assistive technologies, educational practices, work assistance, and online support that can be provided to those classified with a disability. The Research Anthology on Physical and Intellectual Disabilities in an Inclusive Society provides a comprehensive guide of a range of topics relating to myriad aspects, difficulties, and opportunities of becoming a more inclusive society toward those with physical or intellectual disabilities. Covering everything from disabilities in education, sports, marriages, and more, it is essential for psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychiatric nurses, clinicians, special education teachers, social workers, hospital administrators, mental health specialists, managers, academicians, rehabilitation centers, researchers, and students who wish to learn more about what it means to be an inclusive society and best practices in order to get there.

This book examines how intellectual disability is affected by stigma and how this stigma has developed. Around two per cent of the world's population have an intellectual disability but their low visibility in many places bears witness to their continuing exclusion from society. This prejudice has an impact on the family of those with an intellectual disability as well as the individual themselves and affects the well-being and life chances of all those involved. This book provides a framework for tackling intellectual disability stigma in institutional processes, media representations and other, less overt, settings. It also highlights the anti-stigma interventions which are already in place and the central role that self-advocacy must play.

As a social justice endeavor, one of the goals of inclusive education is to bolster the education of all students by promoting equal opportunities for all, and investing sufficient support, curriculum and pedagogy that cultivates high self-concepts, emphasizes students’ strengths rather than weaknesses, and assists students to reach their optimal potential to make a contribution to society. Dedicated to the identification of international strategies to achieve this goal, Inclusive Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities presents examples of theory, research, policy, and practice that will advance our understanding of how best to educate and more generally structure educational environments to promote social justice and equity. Importantly, this discussion transcends research methodology, context, and geographical locations and may lead to far-reaching applications. As such, the focus is placed on research-derived educational and psycho-educative practices that seed success for students with intellectual disabilities in inclusive educational settings and the volume showcases new directions in theory, research, and practice that may inform the education and psychosocial development of students with intellectual disabilities globally. The chapter contributors in this volume consist of 31 scholars from ten different countries, and they come from a great variety of research areas (i.e., teacher education, educational psychology, special education and disability policy, special needs and inclusive education, health sciences). This volume, with a series of subsections, offers insights and useful strategies to promote meaningful advances for students with intellectual disabilities globally.