Abstract
This work tested an ‘Intentional invitation’ mechanism to facilitate
social integration in a small scale setting. Working with community
organisations to design inclusive environments, we identified and
addressed specific barriers to social inclusion and designed a series of
interventions to foster engagement, from early intervention to in-situ
encounters during creative community pop-up events. Intentional
invitations proved effective in facilitating the engagement of people
with disability. This in turn allowed for authentic interactions between
all participants to unfold in a community setting.
Data collected via participant observation and interviews reveal new
perspectives about disability and experiences of togetherness. Our aim
was to facilitate engagement of people with disability as a channel for
authentic contribution bringing potential societal gain within our
communities. Findings point to possible changes in professional practice
that would encompass intentional invitation mechanisms under the Keys to
Citizenship (Duffy, 2015) framework.