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The Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of society. As practitioners, researchers, and teachers, we form partnerships with individuals, families, and service agencies. Together we advocate for personal choice, self-determination, and social and economic justice.
We are dedicated to advancing the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Our work encompasses research, program evaluation, training, consultation, education, policy analysis, and service delivery across four main areas of emphasis: Employment, Education, Community Life, and Health Care.
We have three national hubs: ExploreVR and ThinkWork, which focus on inclusive employment, and ThinkCollege, which focuses on inclusive higher education.
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Our projects involve conducting state and national employment research, increasing access to higher education, supporting children with disabilities to plan for a fulfilling future, and much more.
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From expert consultation and technical assistance to online training for employment professionals, our services help agency leaders and disability staff to excel and thrive in their work.
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Two Briefs Examine Community Life Engagement

What can state developmental disabilities agencies do to increase community life engagement of the people they serve? This was the topic of discussion for the Community Life Engagement Working Group of the

State Employment Leadership Network

(SELN). Insights from the group are available in two Engage Briefs:

Issue 8 looks at state roles related to each of theFour Guideposts for Community Life Engagement:

Individualizing supports for each person
Promoting community membership and contribution
Using human and social capital to decrease dependence on paid supports
Ensuring that supports are outcome-oriented and regularly-monitored)

Issue 9 explores how state policy can promote a holistic vision of engagement that combines employment and community life engagement.

For more on community life engagement, see:thinkwork.org/cle

For more on the SELN see: www.selnhub.org/home