On the Potential for Psychological Researchers and Psychologists to Promote the Social Inclusion of People with Disability: A Review

Abstract

Objective This paper outlines different approaches to understanding disability and describes ways in which psychological researchers and psychologists can promote the social inclusion of people with disability. Method Narrative review drawing on writings and research from psychology and disability studies. Results Five prominent models of disability appear in the literature (moral, medical, social, biopsychosocial, and post‐modern), all of which have relevance to the lives of people with disability. Conceptualisations commonly used to understand the experience of disability from a psychological perspective include stigma and psycho‐emotional disablism. There is evidence that people with disability wish to have greater involvement in research (e.g., as consultants and partners in research about them, and as participants in mainstream research) and to see research findings translated into practice. Evidence is emerging that can be used to underpin psychologists work with (a) communities (to foster social change and social justice, and to reduce stigma); (b) organisations, such as schools, workplaces, and disability service providers (to help develop inclusive and supportive environments); (c) families (to promote optimism, alternative understandings of disability, and a sense of control, as well as developing behaviour support plans and providing referrals to other sources of practical support); and (d) people with disability (to assist them with the issues they bring to therapy while being mindful of the potential for psycho‐emotional disablism to colour the material presented). Conclusion Psychological researchers and psychologists have significant potential to contribute to the social inclusion of people with disability.

Why sample selection matters in exploratory factor analysis: implications for the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0

“…This mismatch between model and its operationalisation invites several possible remedies, including (a) reconceptualising the ICF to focus on disability, and (b) redeveloping the WHODAS 2.0 to measure broad differences in functioning, as well as disability. The first of these alternatives is rather regressive, with contemporary writings challenging the binary thinking on disability and normalcy [ 26 , 27 ]. Producing a new measure of functioning and disability would seem the preferable option.…”

Enhancing social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of original empirical studies

“…Over the years, the concept of social inclusion has been understood in broad terms and regarded as similar to constructs such as social integration (McConkey et al, ), social networks (Clement & Bigby, ), community participation (Verdonschot, de Witte, Reichrath, Buntinx, & Curfs, ) and social capital (Phillips, Robison, & Kosciulek, ). Even though the promotion of social inclusion received great prominence within the CRPD, many researchers regarded the often contested and interchangeable use of the term social inclusion (Bigby, ; Cobigo, Ouellette‐Kuntz, Lysaght, & Martin, ; Garrote, ; Gaskin, ; Overmars‐Marx, Thomése, Verdonschot, & Meininger, ), as problematic. This, they noted, creates many challenges to conducting rigorous research and collecting reliable information on the key measures and outcomes related to social inclusion.…”

“…A number of previous reviews (Dean, Fisher, Shogren, & Wehmeyer, ; Garrote & Dessemontet, ; Gaskin, ; Hästbacka, Nygård, & Nyqvist, ) focused on the promotion of social inclusion and an increase in social participation. However, these reviews included a broad spectrum of methodological approaches and theoretical viewpoints.…”

“…However, these reviews included a broad spectrum of methodological approaches and theoretical viewpoints. For example, Gaskin () conducted a review on fostering social inclusion for people with disabilities, but he wrote a conceptual piece that summarized various theoretical approaches and understandings targeted directly to research undertaken by psychological researchers. Similarly, Browne and Millar () wrote a conceptual paper on the advancement of social inclusion where they propose using a rights‐based theoretical framework, when conducting social inclusion research for people with intellectual disabilities.…”

The Development of Socially Inclusive Libraries in Šiauliai Region Providing Services for Children and Youth with Special Needs

“…Svarbiausius viešųjų bibliotekų socialinės įtraukties aspektus savo tyrimuose analizavo N. Vohra, V. Chari (2015), S. Thompson (2017), A. Clarke (2012), J. Gaskin (2015), B. J. King (2017), A.…”