Outcomes associated with ‘inclusive’, ‘segregated’ and ‘integrated’ settings for people with disability
Video transcript
Outcomes associated with ‘inclusive’, ‘segregated’ and ‘integrated’ settings for people with disability – Research Report
Background
We have published a research report that looks at what should be done to make a more inclusive society that supports people with disability to be safe and independent.
The report was written by researchers from the University of Melbourne.
The report is based on a review of hundreds of books and articles about inclusion. A panel of experts, including people with disability, provided input to the report as well.
The research considered several questions about inclusion. Here are some of questions the research looked at, and what it found.
What is inclusion?
The report found that inclusion is more than just being in the community physically, like going to a mainstream school or having a job.
Inclusion also when people with disability:
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feel welcome
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know they belong
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are safe
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can speak up and have their say.
It’s only when people with disability experience this ‘social inclusion’ that they can live a quality life that is free from violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation.
How do we achieve social inclusion?
The report found that we can achieve social inclusion by:
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bringing people together and supporting people to develop relationships with all sorts of people
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making sure people with disability have a say in what’s important to them, eg where they live, who they life with, who is in government (through voting)
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making sure people with disability have all the information they need to make choices for themselves
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making sure people with disability know their rights
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supporting people with disability to make decisions and take risks.
How will we know when people with disability feel safe and have a good quality of life?
The report says people with disability feel safe and have a good quality of life when:
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they are being listened to
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they are not being hurt or abused
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restrictive practices are not being used, for example sedation, restraint and isolation
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they know a wide range of people
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places like homes, schools and workplaces support people with disability, so they can learn, work and participate as part of the community.
More information
To read the full research report, visit our website. Go to the ‘Publications’ section and click on ‘Research program’.