Transcript Support and Inclusion of students with disabilities at

Quality of Life as an Indicator of the
SINC@HE Project
Elisavet Pavlidou
PhD Student, University of Macedonia, Greece
Quality of life: meaning
• ‘‘quality’’ makes us think about the excellence
associated with human values, such as happiness,
success, wealth, health, and satisfaction,
• ‘‘of life’’ indicates that the concept concerns
the very essence of essential aspects of human
existence.
The Concept of Quality of Life
This meaning explains why the concept of quality of life is impacting the field
of intellectual disabilities and why throughout the world it is being used as
a:
• sensitizing notion that gives us a sense of reference and guidance from the
individual’s perspective, focusing on the person and the individual’s
environment;
• social construct that is being used as an overriding principle to enhance an
individual’s well-being and to collaborate for change at the societal level;
• unifying theme that is providing a common language and a systematic
framework to apply quality of life concepts and principles.
Definition
The quality of life is defined as the personal perception of each
person's position in the context of society and value system in
which he lives according to his goals, expectations and
interests. Moreover, the quality of life is a broad-spectrum
approach, which influenced directly by the physical health,
psychological state, level of independence, social contacts, but
also of the prominent features of the environment
Individual-Referenced Quality of Life Conceptual and
Measurement Framework
Factor
Domain and Exemplary Indicators
Independence
Personal Development: personal skills, adaptive behaviors
Self-Determination: choices, decisions, autonomy
Social
Participation
Interpersonal Relations: Friendships, social networks
Social Inclusion: Community involvement, roles
Rights: Access, dignity, respect
Well-Being
Emotional: safety and security, positive
experiences, success
Physical: Health and nutrition status, recreation
Material: Income, possessions
Domains of Quality of Life
• Domains refer to the set of factors composing
personal well-being and should be thought of as the
range over which the QOL construct extends
Indicators of Quality of Life
• Indicators refer to QOL domain-specific perceptions,
behaviours, or conditions that give an indication of
the person’s well-being. These indicators are the
basis for assessing quality outcomes which refer to
valued personal experiences and circumstances
Core principals
• Is composed of those same factors and relationships for people with
intellectual disabilities that are important to those without disabilities;
• is experienced when a person’s needs and wants are met and when one
has the opportunity to pursue life enrichment in major life settings;
• has both subjective and objective components but is primarily the
perception of the individual that reflects the quality of life he/she
experiences;
• is based on individual needs, choices, and control
• is a multidimensional construct influenced bypersonal and
environmental factors, such as intimate relationships, family life,
friendships, work, neighborhood, city or town of residence
Conceptual Perspectives
• Quality of life as life conditions (Felce & Perry 1995)
• Quality of Life as satisfaction with life (Edgerton, 1990)
• Quality of life as a combination of living and satisfaction
(Felce & Perry, 1995)
• Quality of life as a combination living and personal
satisfaction with emphasis on personal
values ​(Cummins, 1992)
Applying the concept of Quality of Life
Five principles:
• Enhance individual’s well-being
• Quality of life is applied in the light of the individual’s
cultural and ethic heritage
• The aims of any quality of life oriented program should
be to collaborate for change at the personal , program,
community and national levels.
Applying the concept of Quality of Life
• Quality of life applications should enhance the degree of
personal control and individual opportunity
• Quality of life should occupy a prominent role in gathering
evidence, especially in identifying the significant predictors of
a life of quality and the impact of targeting resources to
maximize positive effects.
Levels of Application
• Personal
• Organizational
• Social
Personal
Enhance personal well –being through:
• Development of Self-Determination
• Decision-making skill
• Self-regulation skill
• Self-control skill
Organizational
Measures to achieve the results
• Enhance public accountability
• Improve internal accountability
• Focus on long term goals and strategic planning
• Enhance competitiveness
• Targets adaptation to increase empowerment,
inclusion, respect, personal choices and goals
Social
Enhancing national policy on disability and quality of
life
• equal treatment
• autonomy
• empowerment
• Individualized services
• inclusion