Final answer:
Yes, individuals with physical and developmental delays generally do require assistance to make meaningful contact with others due to various barriers posed by their disabilities. Education and creating inclusive spaces are vital for promoting engagement and fostering meaningful relationships or community participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that individuals with physical and developmental delays need help to make meaningful contact with others is generally true. It is important to understand that disabilities, whether visible or not, can create barriers in forming connections and engaging with others. With a large percentage of individuals with chronic conditions not showing visible signs of their disability, and many with severe disabilities not using assistive devices, awareness and education become key to inclusion.
Building a community that is inclusive means going beyond just inviting people with disabilities to 'the party' and includes actively engaging them in the experience. As practitioners or members of the community, it's essential to create spaces where meaningful contact can occur. This can range from facilitating communication aids to designing inclusive programs that accommodate various needs.
Inclusion efforts should reflect the understanding that 'dancing at the party' is a metaphor for being an active part of a relationship or community, irrespective of one's physical or cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is crucial to support initiatives that promote inclusion, as outlined by the DISABILITY Resources Toolbox (DART) for Practitioners, to ensure that people living with disabilities can engage and form meaningful connections within their communities.