Partnering to solve the participation puzzle

How can we reach long‐lasting inclusive participation for all? A vision for the future

“…Children and youth with disabilities have similar dreams and hopes as their typically developing peers: They want to develop, be able to play, make friends, have an education, find work and create a family (Gorter et al, 2014; Ullenhag et al, 2024). Unfortunately, children with disabilities do not always participate in preferred activities (Imms, King, et al, 2017) and are seldom actively involved in planning the services they receive (Ketelaar et al, 2022). Thus, a person‐centred approach is essential where supports are flexible to provide individualized strategies over the life course.…”

“…In the partnerships with professionals the experts with lived experience, namely, the children, youth, adults and their families are the key people. Ask them, listen to them and work with them (Ketelaar et al, 2022). Highly preferred long‐term participation goals in service provision require that families are involved in goal setting.…”

“…Participation must be valued for the experience itself, as well as other benefits such as motor and social competencies arising from the experience (Anaby et al, 2019). Rather than focusing solely on skill development, therapists acting as a coach to the child, family and community members will enable them to discover their own solutions taking both environmental challenges and impairments into consideration (King et al, 2022). These solutions can then be generalized and used autonomously when pursuing new participation goals across contexts.…”

“…In the partnerships with professionals the experts with lived experience, namely, the children, youth, adults and their families are the key people. Ask them, listen to them and work with them (Ketelaar et al, 2022). Highly…”