Social integration in a reversed integration neighbourhood? Perspectives of neighbours, family members, and direct support professionals and the role of formal and informal support

This research focused on the social integration of people with intellectual disabilities who live in a reversed integration neighbourhood. Reversed integration means that the grounds of the residential facility is turned into a regular neighbourhood wherein people with and without intellectual disabilities live together. Social integration is defined as being part of the community in which the person with intellectual disabilities is appreciated and respected. In this research specific attention is paid to the opinions and experiences of neighbours, family members and direct support professionals (DSPs) and the role of DSPs and volunteers. The expectation is that social integration of people with intellectual disabilities would be easier in such a neighbourhood.
The results show a disappointing picture: currently, the expectation seems not to hold. DSPs, who play an important role in the social integration process of people with intellectual disabilities, are primarily negative or sceptical about social integration. This obstructs the social integration process. Furthermore, there are differences in what people think that social integration implies. Some expect trivial contact, others expect friendships. Many conceptualisations aren’t achievable for people with severe intellectual disabilities or people with intellectual disabilities and behaviour problems. These people live in reversed integration neighbourhoods. There are also optimistic results. Neighbours in these neighbourhoods are positive about social integration. Furthermore, volunteers already play an important role in stimulating the social integration. This role could be extended.