Community-Driven Priorities in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Transition Services: An Environmental Scan.

Abstract

The transition into adulthood can be an arduous time for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who face new responsibilities and significant shifts in services they receive. Peer support by someone with shared lived experience of disability can provide relevant and effective transition services. An inclusive team of researchers, which engaged people with lived experience in all research activities, conducted an environmental scan including a scoping review, focus groups (5 groups, n = 28 participants), and interviews (n = 19) to identify services and research priorities from the perspective of key community members (i.e., young adults with IDD, parents, peer supporters, researchers and service providers). Crosswalked data from the three sources demonstrated community-driven transition service priorities of independent living skills, person-centered approaches, and post-secondary experiences with peer support identified as a capacity builder. Priorities of key community members can be leveraged for existing transition and peer support interventions.