Community Integration: Why It’s Important and Example Activities

Community integration for people with disabilities supports the overall health and wellbeing of individuals and entire communities. Historically, and for several decades, large numbers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were housed in institutions without their consent.

These living environments often had strict rules managing basic life tasks such as what a person could eat, when they could go outside, and who they could socialize with. Since that time, there has been a shift away from institutions and towards community-based living. 

What is Community Integration? 

People with disabilities have been historically excluded from certain social interactions, employment opportunities, and educational environments. This is a problem that affects many Americans. Nearly one in four people in the United States, and more than one billion people worldwide, are living with a disability. 

Community integration is a way to ensure that all people have access to the full spectrum of social, educational, and professional opportunities. These opportunities are embedded within the existing community, rather than segregated. This not only promotes the well-being of individuals but also increases the overall health of the entire community. 

At its core, community integration involves ensuring that each person with a disability has the opportunity to pursue their interests, desires, and goals. This includes control over their own day and which activities they pursue. It also means that each person can choose to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.  

Affordable and integrated housing is essential to community integration. Everyone should feel comfortable where they live. Integrated housing offers people with disabilities the chance to make their living space their own, and to tailor their in-home supports to meet their specific needs.

When integrated housing options are scattered throughout the community, this creates the opportunity for full integration into neighborhoods and daily life. It allows people to live in and interact with the community while also having access to services that help them thrive. 

It’s the Law 

Community integration is not only beneficial for individuals and communities , it’s also written into the law. In 1999, the Supreme Court of the United States held that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

The Olmstead ruling specified that government institutions must offer community integrated services when: 

• Such services are appropriate.
• The person chooses or does not oppose community-based services.
• The services can be reasonably accommodated given the resources available.

In the majority opinion, the late Justice Ginsberg wrote, “confinement in an institution severely diminishes the everyday life activities of individuals, including family relations, social contacts, work options, economic independence, educational advancement, and cultural enrichment.”

Examples of Community Integrated Activities

Community-integrated activities allow all people to enjoy the benefits of their surrounding neighborhoods. They can also promote connection and presence in communal environments. There are several different activities that a community-integrated program can offer. Some examples include: 

• Enjoying public facilities (e.g., libraries and community centers). 
• Participating in after-school and extracurricular activities.
• Supported employment in non-segregated workplaces.
• Having options for healthcare. 
• Joining a religious institution, faith group, or other spiritual pursuits.
• Participating in a political campaign.
• Engaging in the arts (e.g., theater, concerts). 
• Volunteering for a cause that feels important to the individual. 
• Joining a sports team. 
• Attending cultural events or groups.
• Visiting local parks or nature centers.
• Using public transportation. 
• Accessible community-integrated housing options.

Why is Community Integration Important? 

There are many benefits to community integration for people with disabilities. It can increase social connections and opportunities, while also promoting autonomy in decision-making. It can also benefit society as a whole by collectively sharing the wisdom, knowledge, ideas, talents, and creativity of all people. 

From a financial standpoint, expanding public funding for community integration programs has the potential to cost less than blanket institutionalization. (Which again, is against the law.) 

Integration Promotes Inclusion 

Community integration doesn’t end with offering equal access to people with disabilities. It’s also about building a true sense of inclusion and participation in the variety of life roles and activities. 

This means:  

• Seeing people who look like you or have similar experiences to you in positions of power. 
• Experiencing respect for your personal choices. 
• Having access to educational and professional growth opportunities.
• Having access to environments that are designed to include people of all abilities. 
• Having access to reasonable accommodations in educational and employment settings. 

Obstacles to Community Integration 

For community integration to work well, people with disabilities need to have access to resources, structures, and a non-discriminatory environment. There are several potential barriers to access that need to be considered when developing a community integration program. 

These include: 

• The type of disability that a person has.
• How the disability affects a person’s life and its severity.
• The level of support that a person has.
• The accessibility of the surrounding natural and built environment. 
• The availability of accessible communication and assistive technologies 
• The attitudes of people towards disability. 
• The availability of reliable and affordable transportation. 
• Funding for programs, staffing, and training.  

Community Integration is Already Underway 

It is possible to identify and resolve obstacles to community integration for people with disabilities. Much progress has already been made in public education and awareness to reduce stigma and discrimination. In addition, intentional universal design principles are being expanded in business and government, while assistive technology is being made more widely available.

There is protective legislation in place (including reasonable accommodations) that promotes the rights of people with disabilities. And a shifting use of Medicaid waivers away from institutional living towards supporting community integration. While there is no one-size-fits-all for people with disabilities (or for anyone), it’s clear that options for community integration are an important part of the movement toward social justice and civil rights.

*Kate Dubé is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and health writer trained at the University of California, Berkeley and UCSF. You can find her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-dube.