Article

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of
youth with different disabilities from across Canada during their transitions
from adolescence to adulthood. METHODS: Qualitative methods, using a
phenomenological tradition, explored the meaning of the lived experiences of
youth with disabilities in transition to adulthood. Purposeful sampling was used
to select people with a range of experiences, background, location and
demographic characteristics. Individual interviews with key informants and a
focus group with an "expert panel" of participants were the methods of data
collection. Data analysis was iterative and followed established practices of
phenomenology. RESULTS: Over 50 people, including youth with different
disabilities, parents/caregivers and service providers from different
organizations and systems across Canada participated in individual and/or focus
group interviews. An overarching theme of "complexities" emerged from the data
analysis. Complexities were related to the interactions between person and
environment during transition experiences. Six subthemes about complexities were
explored in depth to describe the primary person-environment interactions that
were identified by study participants. CONCLUSIONS: The complexities involved in
the interactions between person and environment during transitions to adulthood
appear to be similar for youth with different types of disabilities.
Recommendations are provided to address these complexities using holistic and
collaborative approaches in service delivery and future research. Implications
for Rehabilitation The complexities involved in transitions to adulthood appear
to be similar for youth with different types of disabilities. Rehabilitation
service providers can address these complexities using holistic, strengths-based
and collaborative approaches. Service providers and researchers in rehabilitation
need to acknowledge the interactions between person and environment rather than
addressing each component separately. Future research should include youth,
families and community members on research teams to ensure that complexities are
adequately addressed.

Langue : ANGLAIS