Friendships and Community Connections Between People with and Without Developmental Disabilities

Book excerpt: True community integration is much more than placing an individual with a disability in a community setting ... it also means belonging and being in close friendships with other community members without disabilities. Now, this perceptive book gleans principles from successful experiences to help others build relationships of their own through natural social connections. The authors of this heartening guide to relationships and community connections combine the wisdom gained from their varied backgrounds in advocacy, service provision, parenting, and research to explore how friendships can enhance the lives of every individual in the community. Each author considers a different facet of friendship, such as: work and leisure relationship; gender-related expectations; community associations and groups; the roles of love, affection, and intimacy.