Community inclusion for people with complex disabling conditions from the perspective of people with lived experience and those who support their inclusion: a scoping review

Bronwyn Honorato; Ben Turner; Katrina Bird; Ruth Barker

doi:10.1080/09638288.2026.2704462

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Community inclusion for people with complex disabling conditions from the perspective of people with lived experience and those who support their inclusion: a scoping review

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Community inclusion for people with complex disabling conditions from the perspective of people with lived experience and those who support their inclusion: a scoping review

Bronwyn Honorato, Ben Turner, Katrina Bird and Ruth Barker

Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol.Advanced access

08-Aug-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2026.2704462

PMID: 42569851

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Abstract

Disability

participation

belonging

inclusion

integration

ICF framework

connection

community

Purpose To explore factors that influence community inclusion for adults with complex disabling conditions, from their perspective and that of their supports. Methods and Materials A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley approach. Studies were screened and selected using Covidence and reported using PRISMA. Cinahl, Medline, Emcare, and Scopus databases were searched until May 2025. Eligible studies were published in a peer-reviewed journal in the English language and described factors influencing community inclusion. Selected studies were mapped to components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework through inductive synthesis and thematic analysis. Results A total of 4,088 records were screened. Across the 42 studies included in the final review, 67 factors (29 enablers and 38 barriers) influencing community inclusion were identified and mapped to the ICF. Enablers were most commonly mapped to Activities and Participation, while barriers were predominantly Environmental, encompassing physical, attitudinal and social factors. Conclusion Community inclusion for people with complex disabling conditions is influenced by multiple, intersecting factors that extend beyond traditional markers of community integration. The findings reinforce the need for policy and practice approaches that explicitly prioritise fostering community inclusion outcomes across diverse community contexts.

Details

Title: Community inclusion for people with complex disabling conditions from the perspective of people with lived experience and those who support their inclusion: a scoping review
Authors: Bronwyn Honorato (Corresponding Author) - James Cook University
Ben Turner - University of the Sunshine Coast
Katrina Bird - James Cook University
Ruth Barker - James Cook University
Publication details: Disability and Rehabilitation, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2704462
ISSN: 1464-5165
PMID: 42569851
Copyright note: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Grant note: This study was supported by funding from the Queensland Government’s Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Occupational Therapy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991250589002621
Output Type: Journal article

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