Background: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities want to be included in all aspects of community life, but social inclusion continues to be very limited. Method: We used a qualitative multiple case study to describe the experiences and perspectives of four older workers or retirees with intellectual and developmental…

As the U.S. and international multiracial populations have increased, so has research in this area. Despite a multitude of studies about the unique struggles of being multiracial, little empirical data has been published about specific strategies that multiracial individuals use to navigate a monoracial (single-race)-oriented society. In this…

A critical need exists for adults who are properly prepared to meaningfully engage with adolescents. While utilizing teens in leadership and teaching roles has been gaining popularity and application, a developmental and skills-based approach for improving "trusted adult" capacity to engage with adolescents has not been comprehensively…

The U.S. high school dropout rate continues to decline. Possible reasons for this decline include stronger academic standards, persistent state and district actions, and implementation of programs to help disconnected youth reconnect to educational opportunities. In the current study, we propose a complementary hypothesis for rate improvements:…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how critical literacy practices within a community youth program opened spaces for restoration for youth. In turn, youth created civic conversations about race, juvenile justice and school discipline inequities to enact change within their community. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative…

Background: The social processes that operate in community groups need to be better understood if people with intellectual disability are to be included in such groups. This study aimed to identify the nature and impact of the group processes on the active participation of people with intellectual disability. Method: Extensive field notes were…

Across the world, community-based youth organizations are engaging youth as partners with adults to promote youth civic development. A sample of 528 youth from the United States, Portugal, and Malaysia were surveyed to explore associations between youth-adult partnership (youth voice in decision making; supportive adult relationships) and two key…

Across the U.S., youth development approaches are being tested in out-of-school time programs as a strategy to combat the growing opportunity gap between privileged and underprivileged youth (Gardner, Roth, & Brooks-Gunn, 2009). Along with increased recognition of the value of youth development programming has come increased financial support…

The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) shows a civic knowledge gap similar to the achievement gap, showing urban youth struggling in particular. However, research has shown that urban youth can be civically engaged when they are involved in projects or organizing intended to improve community conditions, not simply absorbing civic…

Given the fundamental objective of ESD--perspective change--it is increasingly being aligned with the theoretical foundation of Mezirow's Transformative Learning. In 2008, Sipos et al. built upon this connection by proposing a matrix of learning objectives to assess ESD in formal settings. These objectives, grouped under the title of…

Building relationships between traditional college students and adults with disabilities is an important yet little understood aspect of civic engagement. The case study presented in this paper built one such relationship by utilizing a shared narrative project to construct an equitable collaborative experience between a set of students from…

Purpose: To conduct and evaluate a two-phased community-based approach to recruit lower socioeconomic status, minority, or Spanish-speaking adults at risk of developing diabetes to a randomized trial of a lifestyle intervention program delivered by a public health department. Design: Within geographic areas comprising our target population, 4…

This study investigates the provision of a clinical social worker (CSW) in an adult literacy agency and focuses upon the impact on the learners, tutors, and organization. We conducted interviews with agency personnel, the CSW, a sample of learners, and a funding representative. Then we undertook inductive thematic analysis of the data. The results…

Studies suggest that urban residents in low-income and minority communities are subject to an unequal amount of environmental pollution and inequitable enforcement practices. Projects such as Sustainable Cleveland show that key components of implementing policies are access to Internet-based information and participation community-based…

In summation of the three surveys which comprised the total Adult Needs Assessment, four basic generalities describe the adult learning situation in Colorado. (1) The people recognize and appreciate adult learning as a necessary and desirable means toward improving their lives. Their view toward education is serious and mature. (2) The public…