title: "Ready to take on the world": Experiences and understandings of independence after attending residential immersive life skills programs for youth with physical disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Life skills programs aim to equip youth with physical disabilities with the foundational skills required for adulthood. This study explored the perceived impact of residential immersive life skills (RILS) programs on the lives of participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative interviews were conducted with alumni of three RILS programs. Data were thematically analyzed using a phenomenological approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Themes identified from fourteen interviews were: (1) enhancing higher-order skills; (2) new notions of independence; and (3) identity change, empowerment, and advocacy. Opportunities to learn and practise a variety of skills in a structured, facilitative environment led to increased competence and motivation to engage in independent activities. Engaging with peers undergoing similar experiences also helped some youth integrate disability into their identity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing youth with physical disabilities opportunities to engage with others sharing similar experiences and challenges is essential. The study contributes toward the development of evidence-based best practices for life skills programs.
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.|b Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Alanna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rudzik
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.|c Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kingsnorth
authors.affiliation: a Bloorview Research Institute , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.|c Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: d CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Jan Willem
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3012-2119
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gorter
authors.affiliation: e Children's Developmental Rehabilitation Program McMaster Children's Hospital , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D062309:Community Integration; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D066107:Social Skills
keywords: Disability; identity; independence; life skills; self-determination; youth