Social Inclusion: A Proposed Framework to Inform Policy and Service Outcomes Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Social inclusion is recognized as a fundamental right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (2006). Inclusion is also an explicit goal for community-based services in many countries. However, existing definitions of social inclusion are insufficient to support the development of policies and services, and the evaluation of their success in promoting social inclusion. Furthermore, existing definitions and measures tend to overlook the perspective of persons with disabilities and their significant others. Using a consensus building strategy, we developed a framework of social inclusion, which included the perspective of adults with intellectual disability. The proposed framework supports the development and evaluation of social inclusion policies and service outcomes.