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Values and Principles

We believe that people with developmental disabilities should be vital and integral members of our community life.   This means that young people with disabilities grow up with their families and other children in their neighborhoods.   It means that young people with disabilities attend the same schools and classrooms as the other kids.   It means that all children grow up knowing that disability is part of human life and not grounds for being excluded and sent away from community life.  

We believe all people should be everywhere and no one should be missing.  No-one should be missing from our churches, schools, service clubs, sports teams, work places, recreational places, shopping malls, voting booths, movie theaters, etc.  

People with disabilities should be living, learning, working, loving, shopping and having fun among us.   They will be free to be with whom they wish and where they wish, doing things they want.  Tolerance will not be enough; membership and belonging will.

People with disabilities should be recognized as full citizens and should be supported in ways that respect their right to decide what they want to do with their lives, and that allow them to make the choices and decisions that affect their lives.  

Key issues

• These values and principles should be built into the legislation that governs supports and services


• “Nothing about me without me”—people should not be controlled by the service system, the system should respond to what they want to do with their lives.


• Support systems should be built on people’s strengths and talents, not their shortcomings


• People should have legal rights to accountability from the government and service providers


• Supports and services should be required to promote full inclusion and participation, and to enable contribution


• The state should invest in people, not in services.  The focus of the developmental services system should be on people and citizenship, not programs.


• The support system for people with disabilities should recognize, protect and enforce their human rights.  


• Legislation is needed to promote full citizenship, allowing people to lead the lives they want to lead, instead of being treated as “clients”


• The system of supports should encourage individuals and families to innovate, to design custom solutions to fit their personal requirements


• The state should value family contributions and welcome family involvement in policy development


• The system of supports should recognize and solicit family expertise


• The system of supports and services should be universal and accessible as in health care.  No means testing.


• The system of supports should preferentially fund forms of living that are valued by typical citizens society (typical homes, typical workplaces, typical lifestyles, typical social relationships)


• “Self-Determination is a ten dollar word for choice...it is another word for freedom...  a life filled with rising expectations, dignity, responsibility, and opportunity...  a chance to live the dream.” (Robert Williams)

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