This report presents research findings from a mixed-methods study that explored participant experiences and the barriers and enablers to community participation. It involved interviews and focus groups with participants, families and carers, as well as focus groups and a survey of frontline staff. 

The report forms the first part of a larger project Social, community and civic participation of adults on the Autism Spectrum or living with Intellectual or Psychosocial Disability

Approximately two-thirds of NDIS participants have intellectual disability, are on the autism spectrum, and/or have psychosocial disability (NDIA 2020). People with intellectual disability, on the autism spectrum and/or psychosocial disability often experience disproportionate barriers to social, community and economic participation compared with people with either physical disability or no disability and are among the most disadvantaged and socially excluded people in society. Therefore it is important to understand the unique barriers and enablers to community participation for these cohorts to inform solutions to achieve improved participant outcomes.

This participant-focused research project sought to:

• understand and explore participants’ experiences and the pathways to community participation and connection for NDIS participants with intellectual disability, on the autism spectrum, and/or with psychosocial disability;
• explore the barriers and enablers to community participation, specific to these NDIS participants; and
• identify the information and supports required by participants (families, carers or supporters) to help them develop and implement their community participation goals.

While the focus of this research was to primarily take an NDIA lens, due to the interdependent nature of the supports funded by the Scheme and its role to influence the market place, the research also looked to understand the barriers and enablers to community participation within the broader disability ecosystem.