La ricerca qualitativa sui servizi per le persone con disabilità. La voce dei famigliari. Report di ricerca

The paper summarizes findings from nine focus groups involving 71 family members of persons with disabilities attending Anffas services. Overall, families express high satisfaction with their involvement in individualized life projects, though “participation” is interpreted in multiple ways: receiving information, communicating regularly with staff, or actively contributing ideas. Families value project personalization, flexibility in adapting to the person’s changing needs, and the supportive, competent relationships with staff. Significant improvements are reported in communication skills, autonomy, and overall wellbeing of the persons with disabilities, with positive effects on family quality of life, reducing stress and feelings of guilt, particularly in residential settings. Critical issues include the need for clearer communication, greater staff stability, extended service hours and activities, and more structured family support, especially regarding long-term planning such as “After Us”.