Exploring leisure and retirement for people with intellectual disabilities

The present study explored the retirement and leisure experiences and perceptions of 31 people with intellectual disabilities living in community accommodation, as well as the perceptions of 21 significant others and 4 service providers in relation to the participants’ retirement and leisure experiences. Participants were either currently participating in paid work of at least 15 hours per week or had retired from paid work of at least 15 hours per week. Participants’ current participation in leisure activities, leisure aspirations for retirement, and experiences and perceptions of barriers to leisure participation were explored. Findings indicated that participants’ current leisure participation predominantly reflected Stebbins’ [1997. “Casual Leisure: A Conceptual Statement.” Leisure Studies 16: 17–25] definition of ‘casual leisure’ and many activities were in-home based. However, most participants expressed the desire to participate in more leisure activities and reported that their current participation was restricted by a number of barriers. Restrictions were likely to be greater as people retired.