Happy to be taking part?

Original title: Meedoen en gelukkig zijn.

'Taking part': that is the central plank of Dutch government policy for people with disabilities. But what exactly does 'taking part' mean, and what is needed to ensure that people are willing or able to take part? Does taking part make people happier?. Does taking part have the same meaning for people with learning disabilities as for people with chronic psychiatric problems, and if not, what are the differences?
This report seeks answers to these and other questions. To do this, it uses data on people living independently with learning disabilities or chronic psychiatric problems in a region in the south-west of the Netherlands. The study uses a model to relate their actual participation to the conditions for participation, and also looks at whether and how participation contributes to their happiness.
The study was carried out in collaboration with Avans University in Breda, in the south-west of the Netherlands. The findings can serve as input in local, regional and national policy and professional practice in contributing to greater well-being and more subjective happiness for people with these impairments. The results can also be used to develop a tool to measure more effectively the participation of people with learning disabilities or chronic psychiatric problems.