This study forms part of a doctoral thesis on the supports and barriers encountered by people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in exercising their right to independent living in Spain. The aim is to explore the views of people with ID regarding obstacles that impede and actions that promote their exercising of this right.

The past forty years have seen important advances in how we understand disability. Disabled people have gone from being problematic individuals who do not meet the standards of normality that govern society to citizens whose physical, social, political and economic environment makes it difficult for them to exercise their rights under the same conditions as other people (Barnes & Mercer, 2010).

Since 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006) has been in effect in Spain, Article 19 of which recognizes the right of the individual to decide where and with whom to live and to receive the necessary support to live in an independent and inclusive manner within the community. Although authors like Verdugo et al. (2009) point out that Spaniards with ID experience difficulties in exercising their right to independent living, studies on the situation they face in relation to independent living in Spain are scarce. These authors argue that not being involved in decision-making and a lack of housing alternatives in the community are some of the obstacles that prevent a person from having control over their own life.

On an international level, studies focusing on the opinions of people with ID show that there are still significant barriers to living independently (Inclusion International, 2012). People with ID state that they encounter obstacles when making their own decisions about with whom and where to live (European Agency For Fundamental Rights, 2012). McConkey et al. (2004) point out that in many cases decisions are taken by professionals or family members, who prefer institutional residential services due to the security and stability they offer. In light of this, people with ID denounce the lack of opportunities they have to be heard (McGlaughlin & Gorfin, with Saul, 2004) and call for more choice regarding the degree of independence they wish to live with (Inclusive Research Network, 2010; Deguara et al, 2012).

With regard to housing, people with ID express a preference for ordinary households (McGlaughlin & Gorfin, with Saul, 2004) and their home being close to their family and community services and amenities (McConkey et al, 2004 ). However, they highlight the lack of any alternatives to the family home which would enable them to live independently within the community (European Agency For Fundamental Rights, 2012). The most common alternative are group homes (Inclusion International, 2012), which do not always offer the person the degree of independence they want (Inclusive Research Network, 2010). Some people with ID express a preference for personalized support (McGlaughlin & Gorfin, with Saul, 2004). According to McConkey et al. (2013), personalized support acknowledges the person as an individual who has their own preferences and strengths, empowering them to take control of their own lives and the support they receive, and is aimed at ensuring the person lives in the community in an inclusive manner.

Knowing the opinions and views of people with ID regarding their right to independent living has become a prerequisite for developing improvement actions focused on their interests and demands.

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