Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

4-9-2026

Faculty Mentor

Nadine Hanner

Abstract

Intellectual Disabilities (ID) are characterized by a deficit in intellectual and adaptive function that affects between 1% and 3% of the general population (Patel et al., 2020). As young people age out of the school system between 18 and 21 years of age, opportunities for meaningful participation in their community drop drastically (Codd & Hewitt, 2020). This lack of opportunity can lead to decreased overall mental health and quality of life, possibly explaining why adults with ID are disproportionately affected by mental illness when compared to their typically developing peers (Hall, 2017; Pinals et al., 2022). The purpose of this capstone was to provide a new opportunity for community participation among adults with ID through an intentionally inclusive partnership between an established life skills day program for adults with ID and a local professional theatre company. The first aim of this project included developing and conducting an inclusive theatre education program to prepare participants for volunteering in a professional theatre setting. The second aim was to initiate and guide a lasting partnership between the day program and a local professional theatre company that promotes collaboration and mutual growth opportunities. Participants, their caregivers, employees at the day program, and actors at the theatre company were surveyed to collect data about project outcomes. Through pre/post surveys, feedback surveys, and qualitative analysis of open-ended questions, it was determined that participants of this capstone enjoyed themselves, learned new skills, and increased their self-confidence. Respondents agreed that the theatre class and partnership with the professional theatre company were worth continuing.

Comments

References

Codd, J., & Hewitt, O. (2021). Having a son or daughter with an intellectual disability transition to adulthood: A parental perspective. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 49(1), 39-51.

Hall, S. A. (2017). Community involvement of young adults with intellectual disabilities: Their experiences and perspectives on inclusion. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(5), 859-871.

Patel, D. R., Cabral, M. D., Ho, A., & Merrick, J. (2020). A clinical primer on intellectual disability. AME Publishing Company. 10.21037/tp.2020.02.02

Pinals, D. A., Hovermale, L., Mauch, D., & Anacker, L. (2022). Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Mental Health System: Part 1. Clinical Considerations. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 73(3), 313–320. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900504

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