Characteristics of supported living in light of participative research

Our study is a participatory research carried out in cooperation between disabled and nondisabled people, based on the theoretical context of Disability Studies, the process of deinstitutionalization and the provision of community-based services. Research explores how people with intellectual disabilities and their supporters are experiencing the process of deinstitutionalization and supported living as a new form of service. Results of the focus group interviews have shown, that although the majority of people using community-based living arrangements, are under the oppressive legal framework of guardianship, they can still experience the self-determined adult lifestyle thanks to the service.