As outlined in Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, living in the community is a human right. It is a fundamental part of human dignity, social inclusion, and participation in society.

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities: A Global Report on Article 19 is a global study about the right of people with intellectual disabilities to live in the community with the same choices and opportunities as others.

The report outlines the barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing the community-based services and supports that would enable them to live independent lives, and offers recommendations for governments and organizations to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in community life.

When people with disabilities are able to live in the community, they are better able to access education, employment, healthcare, and social services, and to participate in cultural and recreational activities, as well as to exercise their civil and political rights.

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities: A Global Report on Article 19

Key Findings:

  • Many people with intellectual disabilities still face significant barriers to accessing community-based services and supports due to factors such as stigma, discrimination, and inadequate funding for community services.
  • The shift towards community-based services and supports requires a change in attitudes and perceptions towards disability, as well as the development of policies and practices that support the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
  • Community-based services and supports should be designed to meet the individual needs and preferences of people with disabilities, with a focus on promoting independence, self-determination, and social connectedness.
  • The involvement of people with disabilities and their families in the design and implementation of community-based services and supports is essential for ensuring that these services are responsive to their needs and preferences.
  • Governments have a responsibility to allocate adequate resources and to establish legal and policy frameworks that support the right to live in the community and that provide access to community-based services and supports that are of high quality, accessible, and affordable.

Self-advocates and families, by contributing to this report, have provided a clear vision of what living and being included in the community should mean: Choice, Support and Inclusion. This report is their roadmap for building stronger more inclusive communities.

Governments should prioritize investment in the development and provision of community-based services and supports that meet the individual needs and preferences of people with disabilities, and that promote their inclusion and participation in all aspects of community life.

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities: A Global Report on Article 19 

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