Beyond inclusion: Why research on encounter needs a feminist account of freedom.

Background: Though the concept of encounter promises to move the field of social inclusion beyond the dichotomy of presence and participation, new work in political theory pushes encounter in a different direction, making freedom - not inclusion - the central value at stake.

Methods: Interpretative video analysis was conducted on an online learning program "Supporting Inclusion" developed to help support workers recognise and facilitate encounters between people with intellectual disabilities and community members.

Findings: Using the lens of freedom in the encounter offers an alternative framing of the significance and meaning of the online learning program's social interactions.

Conclusions: Feminist theory can help show how is a central problem facing people with intellectual disabilities, recasting encounter through the lens of freedom can help spark fresh insight into what makes encounter important.