The impact of microboards on social and community inclusion of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: “To not just exist, but to truly live”

Abstract

Social relationships and community networks have received significant attention for enhancing positive quality of life and inclusion among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One community-based initiative that has the potential to promote and strengthen community inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is through a Microboard^TM. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive approach, this study explored the experiences of people involved in microboards to learn if and how microboards may influence and strengthen social and community connections. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants involved in microboards in British Columbia, Canada; and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest three key roles of microboards including being (i) person-centered, (ii) empowering, and (iii) facilitating collective participation. These key roles and ways to enhance them are important to consider for initiatives designed to strengthen positive social connections and community inclusion outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Keywords:

• Microboard
• intellectual and developmental disability
• intellectual disabilities
• community inclusion
• person-centered
• interviews
• qualitative description

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the participants who shared their stories, and to Cindy Chapman and our partners at Vela Canada and CLBC for their input and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Mitacs, Community Living British Columbia, and Vela Canada, through the Mitacs Accelerate Program under Grant IT-12655.