Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
In the ’70s, HSRI's founding president Val Bradley led a study that found the lives of people with IDD dramatically improved when they left institutions and lived in communities. Ever since, HSRI has set bold visions for community inclusion.
Choice and control
In the last 50 years, HSRI has partnered with disability rights champions, public agencies, and those who use critical public services. Together, we’ve examined the web of natural and public supports that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remain in their homes and communities, connected to people and experiences they care about. HSRI works across the nation as an architect of change, making barrier-breaking programs and supports (like home and community-based services [HCBS] and self-direction) become realities. All to maximize inclusion and choice.
Person-centered research and quality measurement
Our work, fueled by data collection initiatives like the National Core Indicators, empowers states to track what truly works for people using services. By combining our survey know-how and person-centered approach with states’ desire to constantly improve, we’ve built the most extensive database on public IDD systems outcomes. NCI measures have earned endorsement from the National Quality Forum and inclusion in CMS’ HCBS Quality Measure Set.
But that’s just one piece of our efforts.
Equitable, transparent solutions
We know that states face a tricky balancing act in allocating their human services resources to meet people’s very diverse needs. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we go to great lengths to help them study, assess, and implement innovative and equitable practices and support budget frameworks. We want every dollar they spend to be as impactful as it can be.
Whether we’re helping on an innovative pilot program, a new supports budget framework, or an entire system redesign, we stay focused on transparency, teamwork, and crystal-clear communication. Because big changes require everyone to be on board.
