YOUTH WITH A DISABILITY AND THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS

Abstract

This study explored the experiences of 14 young people (aged 16 to 24) with a disability, who had accessed social services within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) within 12 months of the dates during which the study was conducted. Through in-person and online focus groups, youth were asked to highlight their programs’ positive and constructive attributes and to makes suggestions about how these services could be improved. Content analysis of the semi-structured interviews showed that on the positive side, programs offered a place to belong, an opportunity to share their feelings, and a safe space. The analysis also showed that programs could be enhanced through reducing the size of the groups and increasing the number of sessions. Suggestions for future programs were mixed with some participants preferring disability-focused groups and others preferring groups that are inclusive of all youth.

Keywords

• school choice
• descriptive phenomenology
• parent experience with school choice
• parent of a child with a disability
• experiences with school choice