- Access to opportunities of social inclusion help determine a person’s self-worth over the life-course
- Opportunities for social inclusion in school are much lower for people with disabilities - this increases isolation from the school community and society
- Those who do have social opportunities are more likely to actively volunteer and participate in group activities as they age


University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Undoubtedly, type of disability plays a massive role in a person’s experience across the previously mentioned spheres. However, there are several challenges people of all disabilities face across the lifespan.

Common Issues Across Youth with Disabilities

Gorter, J. W., Stewart, D., Smith, M. W., King, G., Wright, M., Nguyen, T., Freeman, M., & Swinton, M. (2014). Pathways toward positive psychosocial outcomes and Mental Health for Youth With Disabilities: A knowledge synthesis of developmental trajectories. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 33(1), 45–61. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2014-005 

Positive Psychosocial Outcomes and Mental Health for Youth with Disabilities Reference

Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities

- Some of the most important life events happen during transitions,  with most occurring between the ages of 12-25
- A lack of education and communication between disabled youth and their parents has an impact on the quality of life transitions, especially puberty
- Many systemic barriers in education, medicine, and social welfare systems contribute heavily to the hardship of aging out of adolescence as a person with a disability
- People with disabilities in college have better developmental trajectories since education at that age is more individually driven and it is easier to cater to specific needs


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