Care and Support: What Needs to Change

Many people with intellectual disabilities are forced to live in institutions or struggle to get the support they need to live in the community. They are often excluded from housing, healthcare, and other essential services, making independent living impossible.

This handout explains:

  • The barriers people with intellectual disabilities face in accessing community care and support.
  • What good support looks like, including the right to choose where and how to live.
  • What governments, service providers, and others must do to close institutions and make sure people get the support they need.

Self-advocates from around the world share their experiences and demand change. They call for an end to institutionalisation, support to live independently, and full inclusion in the community.

This document was prepared for the Global Disability Summit 2025, with support from UNICEF and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Download (PDF, 400KB)