Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

4-2025

Faculty Mentor

Nadine Hanner

Abstract

There are currently over 6.5 million Americans living with an intellectual disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). Research shows that individuals with intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience a lower quality of life (QOL) compared to those without disabilities (Hughes-McCormack et al., 2017). Eight core domains have been identified as essential to quality of life: emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material well-being, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, social inclusion, and rights (Lachapelle et al., 2005). In response to these needs, this capstone project aimed to implement customized, supported, participant-led programming at a day program for adults with intellectual disabilities in Charleston, SC with a goal to enhance multiple quality-of-life indicators.

The goals of this project were to develop and implement participant-led programming for individuals at a day program, to create instructional materials that would guide staff in facilitating these experiences, and to evaluate the effectiveness of both the programming and materials in terms of quality-of-life indicators and sustainability. Two individuals with intellectual disability at the day program were supported in planning and leading a class for community members.

Outcomes revealed increased confidence, self-efficacy, and communication skills in both participants. These improvements were evident not only through participant self-reports but also through feedback from staff and family members, who observed stronger interpersonal engagement, initiative, and pride. Staff members also reported increased confidence in facilitating participant-led programming and expressed readiness to continue implementing these practices using the resources developed through this project.

This initiative demonstrates the positive impact of participant-led experiences on individuals’ quality of life and underscores the value of this approach in adult day programming for individuals with disabilities.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, Nov 19). Health care for individuals with intellectual disabilities. https://www.cdc.gov/grand-rounds/pp/2019/20191015-intellectual-disabilities.html

Hughes-McCormack, L. A., Rydzewska, E., Henderson, A., MacIntyre, C., Rintoul, J., & Cooper, S. (2017). Prevalence of mental health conditions and relationship with general health in a whole-country population of people with intellectual disabilities compared with the general population. BJPsych Open, 3(5), 243-248. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjpo.bp.117.005462

Lachapelle, Y., Wehmeyer, M. L., Haelewyck, M. -., Courbois, Y., Keith, K. D., Schalock, R., Verdugo, M. A., & Walsh, P. N. (2005). The relationship between quality of life and self-determination: An international study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(10), 740-744. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2005.00743.x

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