Background: Research indicates that music-based interventions can improve quality of life for neurodiverse adults; however, there is limited research on community choirs. The purpose of this practice-based study was to determine feasibility, initial outcomes, and perceptions of benefits/barriers of participation in a community-based choir for…

Background: This paper explores experiences of mothers with intellectual disabilities, with an emphasis on oppressive circumstances and stereotypes that contribute to poorer antenatal and social outcomes for mothers and their children, potentially leading to child removal. Drawing parallels to archetypical figures of Solomon and Medea, we explore…

Employment, social relationships, and autonomy are priorities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). However, few validated measures exist to systematically assess these key adult outcomes in this population. This research includes first steps to develop self- and proxy report measures of life outcomes for adults with…

The current study examined the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions have had on individuals with intellectual and developmental disability. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted to collect data from participants who attended day programming by local community agency. Results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and its…

The world faces an imminent environmental crisis, highlighting the role of effective Environmental Education (EE) in cultivating an environmentally literate society capable of making informed decisions regarding individual and collective environmental actions. A primary goal of EE is the promotion of pro-environmental behaviour, a complex outcome…

Individuals with intellectual disabilities lack cognitive and adaptive functioning. At the university level, inclusive postsecondary education programs have emerged for individuals with intellectual disabilities by delivering valuable outcomes such as independent living, socialization, employment, and so forth. This study explored the perceptions…

This study examines the development of a 1950s educational programme for the inclusion of children with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) -- those with IQ scores of less than 50, referred to as "trainable" or "dependent" children -- into community life. Conducted by the American Association of Parents of…

Provoked by decades of grassroots activism, anti-ableist work is underway to advance disability rights. Intellectual disability (ID) researchers can integrate these social changes into their work by interrogating and transforming the beliefs and practices that underpin ID research. We share actionable ideas to foster anti-ableism and allyship in…

Background: A peer-led self-advocacy group, Our Voice SA, is used as a case study to explore how the social engagement of people with intellectual disability contributed to their self-advocacy about things that are important to them. Method: Secondary analyses of data (interviews, observations and program data) were thematically analysed using…

People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families and professionals often engage in person-centered planning to determine current and future supports needed to improve quality of life. Previous practice focused heavily on applying for disability specific supports referred to as formal supports and waiting hopefully,…

This dissertation qualitatively studied the social interactions students with IDD had in Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs. Through a DSE lens, I analyzed the experiences of 15 current and former IPSE students to determine the phenomena of social interaction while at IPSE. Methods included focus groups, participant observations,…

Planning inclusive research should center meaningful engagement of co-researchers with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to address issues that are important to their communities. There are a variety of approaches to planning research projects consistent with the guiding principles of inclusive research. We describe components of…

Limited research is available on the effectiveness of person-centered planning on the quality of life of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/D) living in group homes. Our qualitative study sought the perspectives of five group home residents with ID/D, two external consultant coaches, and 14 key personnel in various roles…

Background: For almost two decades, students with intellectual, developmental and multiple disabilities have attended undergraduate classes at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, Canada as part-time auditing students. They are supported by the Campus Life program. Campus Life employs graduate and undergraduate university students as academic…

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the interaction project (i.e., Peer Lunch Club Project) influenced preservice general education students' attitudes towards disability and inclusion. Students enrolled in an introductory special education course were provided opportunities to socially interact with adults with disabilities. A total…