Page 14 - Social networks of people with mild intellectual disabilities: characteristics and interventions

Chapter 1
(i.e. the kinds of people in the network); (b) structure (e.g. length, origin and frequency); and (c) function (e.g. emotional, practical and informational support). Community participation is also characterized by three aspects: (a) category (e.g. leisure time, employment, education, access to goods and services, cultural activities); (b) structure (i.e. segregated, semi-segregated or integrated settings); and (c) level of involvement (i.e. present, encounter or participation). This model specifies the domains and components of social inclusion. It does not specify general criteria, such as whether people are socially included or not, because people differ in their capabilities and choices regarding social relationships and community participation (Pelleboer-Gunnink, van Weeghel, & Embregts, 2014). Therefore it is crucial to consider the perceptions and opinions of people with ID themselves.
In QOL research the question has already arisen whether people with ID are able to reliably evaluate their own subjective well-being or whether such information is better provided via proxies. Even though the conclusions of comparable studies are contradictory (Cummins 2002; Nota, Soresi, & Perry, 2006; Schmidt et al. 2010; Verdugo, Schalock, Keith, & Stancliffe, 2005), the emerging consensus is that people with ID should be asked to give their own views (Roeleveld, Embregts, Hendriks, & van den Bogaard, 2011; Verdugo et al., 2005). The principle that no policy or research can be developed without the involvement of the person concerned is emphasized in the slogan ‘Nothing about us, without us’ (van Hove, 2014). Thus, people with ID participate more and more in research and training, for instance as a participant, co-researcher or trainer (Embregts et al., 2015; Embregts & Verbrugge (submitted); McDonald, Kidney, & Patka, 2013; O’Brien, McConkey, & García-Iriarte, 2014; Puyalto, Pallisera, Fullana, & Vilà, 2015; van Hove, 2014).
1.3 Policy with respect to people with disabilities and social inclusion
The importance of social inclusion, participation and social relationships is acknowledged worldwide, for example in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006) and in policy in many countries, for instance in the United States with regard to creating opportunities for community living (Hewitt, Nord, Bogenschutz, &
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