Family quality of life empowered by family-oriented support

Professional services for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) have begun to attach more importance to their environment. The concept of (family-related) quality of life proved to link very well with this idea and lent itself to constructing and evaluating services. One outcome was the emergence of equal partnerships between families, service providers, and other parties in the community. Within this context, the authors explored and described positive practices in supporting young adults with IDs by realizing their personal future plans based on partnerships, the concept of quality of life, and community support. Nine families were followed over a 2-year period (2004-2006). Face-to-face interviews and a survey were conducted with young adults, family members, and professional supporters. Each family was individually supported in the realization of a personal future plan by an "intermediary" or go-between. The results indicated the importance of partnerships among the participants. In creating such partnerships, all participants can be in control, although all parties involved needed extra support to enhance quality of life. © 2009 International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.