‘Then you realise you can actually do it’: young disabled people negotiating challenges during times of transitioning into adulthood

Abstract

This study explored disabled people’s reflections and experiences regarding the challenges they faced when negotiating transitioning to adulthood. It was informed by critical disability studies and youth studies. Four focus group interviews were conducted with altogether 21 participants, 10 men and 11 women with different impairments. A constructivist grounded theory approach was applied to categorise and synthesise data. Participants had faced a myriad of barriers while transitioning into adulthood, such as inaccessible environments, ableist ideas about disabled people as being dependent and childlike, lack of expectations and inadequate supports. Participants resisted these ableist ideals but simultaneously underscored their want to aspire transitional norms in order to live a valued adult life. The importance of having real choices and opportunities was pivotal. The findings underline the importance of dismissing the ableist ideas that persistently exclude young disabled people. Acknowledging different ways of being and doing is key at times of transitioning.