Diffusion of the Shared Citizenship Paradigm: Strategies and Next Steps.

The field of disabilities is being challenged to adopt a paradigm that can be used to guide the transformation of services, supports, and research practices to ensure and enhance the personal autonomy, rights, and community inclusion of people with disabilities. This article describes strategies associated with the systematic diffusion and sustainability of an innovation such as the emerging Shared Citizenship Paradigm (SCP), which has the potential to guide the transformation. The systematic diffusion process incorporates five components: knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation.

From a concept to a theory: The six eras of quality of life research and application.

This article describes the evolution of the quality of life concept through the lens of six distinct eras. Each era reflects a shared process in which multiple stakeholders, including persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and researchers, have played a significant role. Across these six eras, research on quality of life has evolved from operationalizing a concept to developing a theory.

A Systematic Approach to Implementing, Evaluating, and Sustaining the Shared Citizenship Paradigm in the Disability Field.

The disability field continues to face challenges in transforming and implementing meaningful and effective changes in person-centered services and supports aligned with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. To guide this transformative process effectively, a paradigm must be operationalized through a systematic approach. This article outlines such a systematic approach, consisting of two components: (a) aligning the paradigm's foundational pillars to the elements of an explanatory/implementation model (the Quality of Life and Supports Model) to facilitate the paradigm's operationalization, acceptance, and application and (b) aligning implementation, evaluation, and sustainability strategies with ecological systems, implementation targets, and the paradigm's foundational pillars to drive change across systems.

Organizational change and evidence-based practices in support services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The impact on support services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities of the socioeconomic movements and theoretical reformulations of the last decades has generated the necessity, in order to guarantee their sustainability, to carry out processes of profound change in their organizational culture, intervening in the elements that compose it. Among them are professional practices as the best way to intervene in culture, with the use of comparative analysis between an organization's current practices and those expected with culture change. In this line, the organizational self-assessment tool "Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Scale" (OEES) is applied in a study with 24 organizations, which uses a collaborative assessment approach in the service of a set of evidence-based practices identified as standards in key aspects that guide culture change, specifically, a person-centered approach, participative structures, use of information systems and data management, implementation of quality systems and participative and transformational leadership.

The Quality of Life Supports Model as a Vehicle for Implementing Rights.

The Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) is emerging as a new framework that is applicable to people with disabilities in general, but specially to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The aim of this conceptual paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to show the overlap between the QOLSM and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), highlighting how the former can be used to address many of the goals and rights embedded in the latter.

The IDD Paradigm of Shared Citizenship: Its Operationalization, Application, Evaluation, and Shaping for the Future.

Changes in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the last 5 decades has resulted in the emergence of the shared citizenship paradigm. This paradigm is currently guiding the development of IDD-related policies and practices, and providing a framework for application, research-based inquiry, and evaluation. A shared citizenship paradigm is one that envisions, supports, and requires the engagement and full participation of people with IDD as equal, respected, valued, participatory, and contributing members of every aspect of society.

Professional Responsibility in the Field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Its Definition, Application, and Impacts.

This article addresses the need to clearly understand professional responsibility and the critical role it plays in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), in shaping professions for the better, and in enhancing the functioning of society for the benefit of all. Understanding professional responsibility is especially timely during the current transformation that is occurring in the field of IDD. To that end, the article discusses what is a profession, who is a professional, and what is professional responsibility.

Quality of Life and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities: Consensus Indicators for Assessment.

Background: The quality of life construct provides an ideal conceptual framework for translating such abstract concepts as self-determination, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Through consultation with expert raters, we sought to develop and validate a bank of indicators and items, based on the quality of life conceptual framework, to be used as a means of evaluating and implementing the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Method: Thirty-two experts in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities participated, rating the suitability, importance, and clarity of a bank of 296 items, as well as the relevance of controlling for 70 sociodemographic variables.

A quality of life supports model: Six research-focused steps to evaluate the model and enhance research practices in the field of IDD.

In the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the constructs of quality of life and supports have been combined into a Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) that is currently used internationally for supports provision, organization transformation, and systems change. With the model's increasing and widespan use in research and practice, there is a need to evaluate the model's impact at the individual, organization, and systems levels. The purpose of this article is to outline six specific research-focused evaluation steps that allow researchers to evaluate the model and thereby enhance research practices is the field of IDD.

Ongoing Transformation in the Field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Taking Action for Future Progress.

There has been a significant transformation in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the last 5 decades. Although this transformation has profoundly influenced multiple stakeholders, the field is currently at a critical juncture and facing a number of social and political challenges. Given the relevance of the question, "where is the field of IDD and where do we go," the present article describes the field's transformation, and suggests future action steps to facilitate and sustain the transformation.

Enhancing research practices in intellectual and developmental disabilities through person-centered outcome evaluation.

Background: Research practices in IDD need to align current values towards people with IDD, the current understanding of IDD, and best practices regarding change strategies and valued outcomes.

Aims: To describe the components to-and application of-a person-centered outcome evaluation model that meets the above criteria.

Methods And Procedures: A person-centered evaluation logic model is used to identify and describe a conceptual framework (input), a change strategy (throughput), personal outcomes (outcome), and meaningful impacts (output).

A New Paradigm in the Field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Characteristics and Evaluation.

Background: A new paradigm, which we refer to as The Quality of Life Supports Paradigm, is emerging internationally in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new paradigm integrates the key concepts of "quality of life" and "supports". This article addresses the question of how one evaluates a new paradigm.

Measurable Indicators of CRPD for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the Quality of Life Framework.

This article proposes the quality of life (QOL) construct as a framework from which to develop useful indicators to operationalize, measure, and implement the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A systematic review of the scientific literature on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) was carried out, with the aim of identifying personal outcomes that can be translated into specific and measurable items for each of the CRPD Articles aligned to the eight QOL domains. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the systematic review was conducted across the Web of Science Core Collection, Current Contents Connect (CCC), MEDLINE, KCI-Korean Journal Database, Russian Science Citation Index and SciELO Citation Index, for articles published between 2008 and 2020.

A balanced approach to decision-making in supporting people with IDD in extraordinarily challenging times.

A balanced approach to decision-making during challenging times is necessary in order to avoid risks that jeopardize the lives and wellbeing of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The COVID-19 pandemic is the recent example of a crisis that places people with IDD at risk for lopsided societal reactions and threats to them or their wellbeing. Attention to decision-making is required to safeguard hard-earned achievements, including public policies and organization practices that emphasize human and legal rights, self-advocacy, individualized supports, inclusive environments, choices, and community inclusion.

Using a Multidimensional Model to Analyze Context and Enhance Personal Outcomes.

This article describes a multidimensional model of context that identifies, defines, and explains three key properties of context: multilevel, multifactorial, and interactive. The use of this model to drive a context-based enhancement cycle is also described. The enhancement cycle involves four steps: (a) identifying current interactions that influence personal goals and outcomes; (b) targeting the interaction that will have the highest impact on selected outcomes for the individual; (c) manipulating the contextual factors that will positively influence the interaction; and (d) evaluating the impact of the manipulated interaction on personal outcomes.

Going beyond Environment to Context: Leveraging the Power of Context to Produce Change.

This article discusses the processes and implications of going beyond environment to context. The article (a) provides an operational definition of context; (b) describes a multidimensional model of context that views context as being multilevel, multifactorial, and interactive; (c) describes how conceptual models of quality of life, human rights, and human functioning can be used in conjunction with the multidimensional model of context to identify opportunities and develop context-based change strategies that improve quality of life, human rights, and human functioning outcomes; and (d) describes a four-step approach to leveraging an understanding of context to produce change. The article concludes with a discussion of the advantages of and barriers to moving beyond environment to context.

The contemporary view of intellectual and developmental disabilities: Implications for psychologists.

Background: The field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is currently experiencing a significant transformation that encompasses an integrated approach, especially regarding shared aspects such as a focus on the human and legal rights, the eligibility for services and supports, and an emphasis on individualized supports provided within inclusive community-based environments. Accompanying this transformation is the increased need of precision in both the operational definitions of IDD-related constructs, and the terminology used to describe the respective construct.

Method: the specialized literature was revised, and previous works on the subject by the authors were updated.

The Responsibility to Build Contexts That Enhance Human Functioning and Promote Valued Outcomes for People With Intellectual Disability: Strengthening System Responsiveness.

This article describes a model that systems can use to build contexts that enhance human functioning and promote valued outcomes for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Our premise is that that systems have a responsibility to build contexts that enhance human functioning and promote valued outcomes for people with ID, and that this obligation can be met through the use of contextual analysis to deliberately design and implement support strategies that are responsive to identified contextual factors. The model employs a 2-step process to identify context-based independent and intervening variables and align support strategies with identified context-based influencing factors, disability policy goals, and associated outcome domains.

A Holistic Theoretical Approach to Intellectual Disability: Going Beyond the Four Current Perspectives.

This article describes a holistic theoretical framework that can be used to explain intellectual disability (ID) and organize relevant information into a usable roadmap to guide understanding and application. Developing the framework involved analyzing the four current perspectives on ID and synthesizing this information into a holistic theoretical framework. Practices consistent with the framework are described, and examples are provided of how multiple stakeholders can apply the framework.

Understanding organization transformation in evaluation and program planning.

Organization transformation is an increasingly important concept and process in human service organizations as they adapt to rapidly changing challenges and opportunities to enhance their effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. This article describes a four-component organization transformation model that incorporates transformation pillars, transformation strategies, organization capacity, and organization outputs and outcomes. The article includes examples of the model's use, and concludes with a discussion of valuable lessons learned to date.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Disability Policy in a Time of Change.

The enormous effects of public policy-both for good and for ill-in the lives of people with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities demand the development of stronger tools for policy analysis, and more effective strategies for policy implementation and evaluation. The purpose of this special issue is to help readers understand the complexities of disability policy and the factors that influence its successful development, implementation, and evaluation; and to encourage readers to expand their thinking and actions regarding the role they play in disability policy in a time of change.

An Integrated Approach to Disability Policy Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.

This article provides a framework for an integrated approach to disability policy development, implementation, and evaluation. The article discusses how a framework that combines systems thinking and valued outcomes can be used by coalition partners across ecological systems to implement disability policy, promote the effective use of resources, incorporate specific support strategies that advance identified disability policy goals and lead to systemic changes and enhanced personal outcomes, and focus on activities that advance a unified vision for disability policy and the attainment of personal outcomes. The article concludes with a discussion of the significant challenges and opportunities regarding an integrated approach to disability policy in a time of change.

The quality of life of older people aging in place: a literature review.

Purpose: In order to cope with the challenges that are the result of an aging population, policies and services promote keeping elders in the community and letting them age in place rather than sending them to specialized institutions. Aging in place refers to the option where people can stay in their homes as they age. This policy option, however, poses various challenges and may also threaten the quality of life of the aging.

Evidence and Evidence-Based Practices: Are We There Yet?

The purpose of this article is to move the field of intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities (IDD) towards a better understanding of evidence and evidence-based practices. To that end, we discuss (a) different perspectives on and levels of evidence, (b) commonly used evidence-gathering strategies, (c) standards to evaluate evidence, (d) the distinction between internal and external validity, and (e) guidelines for establishing evidence-based practices. We also describe how the conceptualization and use of evidence and evidence-based practices are changing to accommodate recent trends in the field.