Every person with a disability has the right to be a valued member of the community – not just in the community – but of the community.
Yet hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities across the United States are victims of discrimination who still live or spend their days in segregated settings and remain separated from their communities.
In the past, people with disabilities were institutionalized in large and usually horrific facilities. As some large state institutions closed, many people were transferred to other institutions like nursing facilities. Still others were placed in the “community,” but too often remain segregated in group homes, boarding houses, sheltered workshops and day programs.
Segregation in all of its forms is harmful to people with disabilities.
- It robs people of a full and valued identity.
- It separates people from family, friends, neighbors, and community.
- It denies people the chance to live in real homes and have real jobs.
- It forces young people into separate and usually inferior schools.
- It makes it impossible for people to spend their leisure time where and how they choose.
- It denies people the chance to worship as they choose.
CPR’s enduring commitment to community integration for all individuals with disabilities is reflected in all of our legal and advocacy initiatives since our founding in the early 1970s.
We are determined to help people with disabilities live full, meaningful, and independent lives in the community.