How to Foster Inclusion for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), fostering inclusion and belonging often requires unique, tailored, and special considerations. Small and large efforts to promote inclusivity and belonging often go a long way.

What is disabilities inclusion?

Disabilities inclusion refers to the intentional creation of environments, systems, and communities where people with disabilities are welcomed, valued, and supported to fully participate in everyday life. Rather than focusing on limitations, disabilities inclusion emphasizes equity, accessibility, and belonging — ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

When viewed through the lens of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), disabilities inclusion becomes especially important. Individuals with IDD — including conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy — have historically faced barriers to inclusive education, employment, healthcare, and community life. True inclusion means removing those barriers while honoring each person’s unique strengths, needs, and goals.

At its core, disabilities inclusion for people with IDD is person-centered. This approach prioritizes choice, self-determination, and self-advocacy, empowering individuals to have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives. Inclusive practices also recognize the value of neurodiversity, acknowledging that different ways of thinking, learning, and communicating enrich families, workplaces, and communities.

Practical examples of disabilities inclusion include inclusive education classrooms with appropriate supports, supported employment opportunities that offer reasonable accommodations, and community programs designed with accessibility in mind. In behavioral health and human services settings, inclusion also means delivering culturally competent, accessible care that promotes dignity and respect.

Ultimately, disabilities inclusion is not a one-time initiative—it’s an ongoing commitment. For organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, inclusive practices strengthen outcomes, build trust, and foster genuine community inclusion. By embedding accessibility, equity, and belonging into policies and practices, we create a society where people with IDD are not just present, but truly included.

What barriers to inclusion might people with IDD face?

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face a variety of barriers to inclusion. These barriers may pose social, employment, physical, communication, and social consequences.

The physical space and environment matter greatly. These aspects can pose tremendous challenges, many of which go unseen, for people with IDD (as well as their families). Individuals may face challenges with transportation and navigating inaccessible environments (both inside and outside).

From a social perspective, barriers perpetuate stigma, shame, and limited opportunities for community participation. This may result in fewer opportunities for friendships and community connections. Individuals with IDD often face unique circumstances that adversely impact their social networks and communities. Circumstances (e.g., communication differences and needs, societal judgment, and misperceptions) may limit their access to social opportunities.

Job-related barriers often contribute to barriers for entry and promotion/advancement in the workplace for some individuals. Limited job opportunities, underemployment, and a lack of workplaces will to make reasonable accommodations are among barriers that individuals with IDD commonly experienced.

Educational barriers may also take root. For example, inaccessible materials and lack of adequate support.

For people with IDD, navigating available services and supports to access inclusive and equitable opportunities may be particularly challenging. It is important to consider how our interactions, programs and services, and policies can promote supportive, accessible, and welcome spaces for people with IDD.

Strategies to foster inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Inclusive spaces should focus on fostering accessibility and belonging for all people. These spaces should be designed to offer safety and comfort. They should be sensory-friendly in their design and incorporate universal supports. Universal support offers a design or strategy that would benefit everyone regardless of their ability or other characteristics. For example, the physical environment should include curb cuts and ramps.

Overall, inclusive environments are more apt to occur when clear communication and accommodations are tailored to individual needs. Advocating for and promoting opportunities for meaningful participation can strengthen a sense of community and belonging.

Utilize assistive technology

Assistive technology includes devices, tools, systems, and supports that are designed to enable tasks to occur with greater ease for people with disabilities. The types of assistive technology vary from low-tech to high-tech solutions. Below are some examples:

• Speech-to-text software
• Screen readers
• Smart home technology

Assistive technology may be particularly beneficial for individuals with IDD by promoting independence, communication, and decision-making. In turn, this may augment opportunities for community participation and increase opportunities to access inclusive environments.

Use universal design

Universal design can further promote inclusion and belonging. Using a universal design approach, environments and systems can be created to enable (to the fullest extent possible) usability among all people with adaptation. This form of design can be beneficial for all, but particularly supportive for those with IDD. Some examples of universal design include:

• Closed captioning
• Automatic doors
• Adjustable workstations
• Wide parking spaces
• Tactile signage

While universal design and universal supports are often beneficial for everyone, individuals with IDD may find these to be particularly helpful.

Create a sensory-friendly environment

Designing settings to be inclusive of all individuals should be at the heart of fostering comfort, belonging, and community. There are some common ways to create a sensory-friendly environment. When creating such spaces, it is important to keep in mind the unique characteristics of individual consumers or family members environment. Here are some aspects to consider when creating a sensory friendly environment based on humans’ five senses:

• Sight: Bright lights or harsh fluorescent lighting can be triggering and challenging for some individuals with IDD (as well as others)! Avoiding bright lights and offering calming lighting can offer a more conducive environment. Lights on a dimmer may be helpful in offering choice in lighting for a person with a developmental disability.
• Hearing: Certain sounds (e.g., chewing, tapping) and loud noises can be triggering for some. Efforts made to reduce the volume and/or mask distracting or irritating noises can go a long way. For those that may benefit, offer headphones that are noise-cancelling.
• Smell: Think of a smell that you have a hard time tolerating. For some populations with IDD, certain smells may be incredibly magnified. A heightened sensitivity to certain smells may make it difficult to be in a specific environment. As such, promoting scent-free settings and avoiding cleaning products that would be overwhelming can be particularly helpful. Other ways to promote inclusivity could include providing quieter eating spaces, fostering consistent mealtime routines, and minimizing smells in general.
• Taste: People with IDD may have more frequent and more pronounced food preferences and sensitivities. Some may have significant food allergies and may not be able to tolerate certain foods due to their smell, texture, and/or taste. When food is available/offered, ensuring the food options are safe is key.
• Touch: From a tactile perspective, certain things may be particularly challenging for those with IDD. Certain materials and textures often provide sensory overload and heightened irritation. For example, a clothing tag on the back of a shirt may irritate, distract, and annoy to an intolerable level.

Promote representation

How can people with IDD be represented and heard in leadership, planning, and decision-making? Locally, nationally, and globally, opportunities need to be made to have people with disabilities at the forefront of conversations that impact their daily lives. Barriers need to be removed to enhance opportunities for meaningful participation. For example, providing accessible communication methods can be supportive. This can be done through using plain language and providing visuals to support both receptive and expressive language and communication. Leadership opportunities, advisory councils, and board positions for people with IDD can provide meaningful roles and opportunities to provide input. Organizations, systems, and protocols should incorporate the voice and expertise of diverse individuals to foster inclusive communities. Their representation and voice matter.