SOCIAL INTERACTIONS OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES LIVINGINDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY

Fifty-four adults with developmental disabilities living independently in three different communities were interviewed about their social in teractions during seven consecutive days. Results indicated that most interactions were with other persons with disabilities, and almost hal f of those interviewed reported no interactions with persons without d isabilities. Those living in an outer suburban setting had fewer inter actions with persons without disabilities. Those who had lived previou sly in supervised group residences had more interactions than those la cking this experience, but these were mostly accounted for by interact ions with other persons with disabilities. The main conclusion of the study was that integration of persons with developmental disabilities was not occurring at a satisfactory level, when judged by their intera ctions with persons without disabilities.