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Background: Few studies discuss social inclusion from the voice and perspective of young adults with intellectual disability who have been lifelong recipients of individualised community-based coordination and services focusing on inclusion and participation. It is important to understand the perspective of people with an intellectual disability how they experience and perceive social inclusion within their own lives. Method: Ten participants aged 18 to 24 years diagnosed with intellectual disability living in the community alone, or with their family, participated. All received long-term individualised community-based coordination and services. They were interviewed about how they spend their time, form relationships, and feel included. A phenomenological approach was used with a thematic analysis to form codes from transcripts into two major themes. Results: Young adults within this study experienced feelings of segregation and exclusion from community. Participants experienced trouble finding employment and were frequently bored. Social interactions were mainly with family and others with a disability in formal programs. Conclusions: Despite being long-term recipients of individualised community-based coordination the young adults discussed significant experiences of segregation and exclusion impacting negatively on their lives.

Background: Social inclusion is a vital domain in quality of life and is enhanced through recreational programs. People with intellectual disability have been provided with fewer opportunities to participate in these groups, thus hindering social inclusion. Method: Five databases (CINAHL, Ovid, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library) were electronically searched and narrowed using inclusion/exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using standard quality assessment criteria. Results: Out of 135 retrieved results, 12 articles were included. Data were predominantly collected using questionnaires, scales, and interviews. Ages of the people with intellectual disability ranged from 5 to 65 years, and the sample size ranged from 30 to 2,556 persons. Four key themes became apparent in the literature: (1) the impact of physical and social independence, (2) the amount of social interaction and participation, (3) the impact of culture and attitudes, and (4) the outcomes of social inclusion. Conclusions: Social inclusion and participation in leisure activities for people with intellectual disability increase with greater functional independence and positive community attitudes. This participation results in positive outcomes. People with an intellectual disability participate less in recreational programs. Further research is needed regarding the experience from the person's point of view.