People With Intellectual Disability and Social–Political Life Participation: A Commitment to Inclusive Policies in Less Developed Countries

Individuals with intellectual disability ( ID ) are more likely to experience numerous poor health and social outcomes. Interestingly, in the last few decades, efforts to enhance condition of people with disability were focused on the social model of disability rather than the medical model of disability. However, the case was different for less developed countries ( LDCs ). Cultural differences could undermine efforts to promote social inclusion of people with ID in less developed societies. The authors consider the conceptualization of ID from the perspective of developed and LDC s and consider how marginalization can be lessened by approaching ID as a human rights issue. They note that the social life and political participation of people with ID are now becoming more characteristic of modern social policies around the world. While the current social model of disability originally evolved in developed countries, the authors contend that LDCs should make some adaptation according to their cultural features before putting them into practice. They present a path toward inclusive policy in LDCs and posit that greater social and political participation will change the acceptance and social condition of people with ID .