Get involved in our research, and help us develop the conditions for good and full lives, for everyone!
For many of us, time spent with family and loved ones naturally invites reflection on what truly matters in life. Over the past several years, posAbilities and our partners have been exploring a meaningful question: what does it mean to lead a good and full life, and how do we get better at fostering the conditions for it?
This ongoing work has led us to look more closely at wellbeing — including the role that religious and non-religious spirituality may play for individuals, families, and support organizations.
This work recently reached an exciting milestone. Findings from the first phase of the research have been published in the Journal of Disability & Religion, making the project’s collaboration, process, and early insights available to a wider audience.
The study brings together perspectives from people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, family members, caregivers, and staff across partner organizations. Rather than starting with assumptions, the research focuses on listening and learning — exploring how people understand spirituality in their own lives, and what that means in the context of support services.
Three key themes emerged from this first phase of the research. First, participants shared that spirituality is defined very differently from person to person, making it challenging for organizations to develop a single, clear approach that fits everyone’s beliefs, values, or experiences. Second, many staff expressed that they lack training or confidence when it comes to religion and spirituality, and often feel ill-equipped to provide guidance or respond to questions in this area. Finally, the research highlighted the need for clear guidelines to help navigate ethical dilemmas, ensuring that individual choice, respect, and boundaries remain central in both policy and practice.
Together, these findings do not point to simple answers, but they do offer valuable insight. They invite organizations to reflect on how to create respectful, person-centred spaces that acknowledge diversity, support staff learning, and guide thoughtful decision-making.
You can read the full publication here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23312521.2025.2594216
As this research continues, we are inviting family members to help shape the next phase by sharing their perspectives. Whether you feel strongly about this topic, feel unsure, or have never given it much thought, your voice matters.
We invite you to take 10 minutes to complete a short survey for family members of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The survey will remain open until January 10, 2026: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/familymembers
As this research continues, we are especially interested in hearing from family members who would like to take part in a focus group to continue the conversation. This is an opportunity to share perspectives, ask questions, and help inform future thinking in a supportive, respectful space.
If you’re interested in joining a focus group, or would like to learn more, please contact Gord Tulloch, Director of Innovation at posAbilities (gtulloch@posabilities.ca), or the research team at the Centre for Civic Religious Literacy (alice@ccrl-clrc.ca).
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important work and to conversations that help us better understand what supports a good and full life.