Inclusion • Self-Advocacy • Individualization
Inclusion, self-advocacy, and individualization are core components of community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inclusion provides the opportunity for each person, regardless of disability, to participate in life and work alongside nondisabled peers. Self-advocacy empowers individuals to express their needs, preferences, and rights, fostering a sense of agency and dignity. Individualization tailors services to the unique strengths, challenges, and goals of each person, recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches are inadequate. Together, these principles enhance the quality of life, promote equality, and support the full participation of people with developmental disabilities in their communities.
