Interdependence: The Pathway to the Inclusion of People with Intellectual Disabilities and Immigrant Disability Support Workers

Abstract

Friendship and social connections generally improve quality oflife and well-being. However, research shows that people with intellectualdisabilities face challenges forming and maintaining friendships. Disabilitysupport workers play an indispensable yet under-recognized role indeveloping friendships with people with intellectual disabilities. Becausedisability support workers are disproportionately immigrant women, as theyfacilitate the inclusion of their clients, they too experience social isolation.After conducting in-depth interviews with disability support workers livingin Edmonton, Canada, for my master’s thesis project, I offer the followingobservations. First, staff and clients became friends with one another in partdue to weak family ties and limited social networks. Second, relationships thatfelt genuine helped staff better understand their clients and gave the staff adeeper sense of purpose in life. Third, the context, environment, and frequencyof meetings were essential for the development of friendships. Fourth,friendships among people both with and without disabilities were crucial forcommunity development. Overall, based on these interviews I suggest thatgenuine friendships between people with intellectual disabilities and careworkers can help foster a sense of belonging and are integral to community-building. My research also suggests that the meaning of friendship ought tobe expanded beyond current understandings.