Our vision is for the inclusion of all people, including people with intellectual disabilities (ID), in mainstream health policies and laws, programming, and services, training programs, research, and funding streams.
Principles of Inclusive Health
If a system is inclusive, that means they have made the necessary changes to their practice to make their program more accessible for those with ID. Inclusive health is based on two main principles: equitable access and full participation. Equitable Access means ensuring that people have access to the services and resources necessary to achieve their full health potential. Full Participation means that people with ID are fully and meaningfully included in health programs and services.
Why Inclusive Health?
Including people with ID in existing health programs has the potential to improve health outcomes for all people, including people with ID while reducing health care costs for society. For example, if a healthcare provider’s office makes their reading materials accessible to those with ID, they could also be helping those who speak English as a second language or have low literacy. There are a number of ways organizations can become inclusive! Get started with four key strategies.
Watch the video to learn about Person First Language:
