Examining the Quality of Life for Young Adults With Intellectual Disability: Using Photo-Essays to Enhance the Voice of Individuals

• In Event: 63.074 - Participant Empowerment Through Photo Elicitation in Ethnographic Research: New Research and Approaches

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of life of adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) transitioning from school into adulthood.
This study explored how self-determination within the constructs of personal and professional development are sifted through the gears of relationships influencing the quality of life (QofL) of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. QofL is a complex construct of components that work to improve life-long conditions, (Felce, 1997), thereby positively impacting life-long outcomes (Schalock, 2004; Nota et al., 2007; Verdugo, Schalock, Keith & Stancliffe, 2005). Defining and describing QofL for individuals with disabilities continues to challenge researchers, teachers and policy makers as they seek to improve the lives of individuals with ID and continue planning, delivering and evaluating the services and supports they receive (Palmer, 2010). (Kraemer, McIntyre & Blancher, 2003; Schalock et al., 2005).
Using photos gathered from distributed iPhone 4s participants were tasked to create a photo essay representing his/her lived experiences and QofL. After the essays were examined and interviews conducted, the following themes emerged from the data:
1) Social Skill Development - As seen throughout the participants' photos, all three participants are surrounded by individuals at home, within their communities, and at work who know and care about them. However, even though these participants desire relationships with peers, none of the participants recognize these individuals as potential personal friends.
2) Something to Prove - All three participants are employed within the community. Pictures taken by both the participant and the researcher demonstrate a personal need for perfection in the work place.
3) Adaptability/Resiliency - The photos of the study participants display their ability to adapt to new environments, new people, and changing social expectations in a constantly evolving community is documented throughout the photos.

Author

• Kharon Denise Grimmet, Purdue University