Participation in the habilitation process, from the perspective of young people

Abstract

Young people have the right to participate in their habilitation process. The aim was to describe how young people with disabilities perceive participation in the habilitation process. Data collection was performed at child and youth habilitation centres in Sweden. A total of four interviews were conducted, two individual interviews and two group interviews. The transcribed data was analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. The analysis reveals two generic categories: ‘the right prerequisites must be provided to be able to participate’ and ‘adults’ behaviour and attitudes are important for participation in the habilitation process’. The findings reveal that how young people perceive participation in the habilitation process is based on environmental factors, such as information, and that the professionals strive for the young people’s voices to be heard by including them in planning. In conclusion, the important aspects of participation are a young person-friendly environment and individual support from adults. These aspects can provide a source of reference for professionals who want to develop strategies to promote young people’s participation.