New Perspectives in Science Education
Promote Quality of Life in People with Intellectual Disability through Work: Multiple Case Studies in Northern Italy
Emanuela Zappella, University of Bergamo (Italy)
Abstract
The concept of quality of life (hereafeter QOL) is receiving more attention as a tool for evaluating policies and practices aimed at people with disabilities. In the field of intellectual disabilities (hereafter ID), the most widely used model (Schalock et al., 2010) emphasises the importance of eight domains
that refer to three factors: well-being (physical, material, emotional); independence (personal development, self-determination); social participation (interpersonal relationships, social inclusion, rights).
This research intends to:
- describe the individualised process that leads to the professional inclusion people with ID;
- highlight the benefits deriving from work for both oneself and one’s work colleagues;
- emphasise synergies and strategies that favour positive experiences that can be replicated within different contexts.
I adopt a qualitative approach in this investigation, using two instruments:
- In - depth interviews and focus groups carried out with people with ID, parents, social workers, educators, and colleagues to capture the different point of views. The collected data has been analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological approach addressed at exploring in detail the participants’ views about their experience. The results have been subsequently returned with the participants using the Delphy method to share the interpretation of data and obtain further details;
- Six longitudinal case studies: I followed the work experience of 6 people with ID (from 19 to 29 years old) in different contexts: restaurant, supermarket, canteen and shop in order to analyze the strategies used to promote self determination.
The analysis showed that:
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there are benefits in all eight areas described, not only for people with ID but also for other people working with them. The QOL rather than being a purely individual construct, depends largely on the interactions and interdependence that are created with the subjects with whom we build a relationship. In addition, the skills acquired, and the role of the workers, also determine the role that can be played within the company.
- the factors contributing to a positive experience are: the inclusion and participation of all the subjects, the building of alliances, the sharing of values, the assessment of the potential of the subject and the context and accompaniment.
Keywords: quality of life, intellectual disability, workplace, inclusion;
