Mission, Vision & Values Statement

Mission

The Council engages in advocacy, systems change, and capacity building with people with developmental disabilities and their families in order to:

Support people with disabilities in taking control of their own lives.
Ensure access to goods, services, and supports.
Support communities so that all people belong.
Empower people with all disabilities.
Promote the understanding of the life experiences of people with disabilities.
Pursue equity for all people.

Vision

We envision a commonwealth where all people are valued and thrive.

Statement of Values

Generic Change. We work to change generic systems for all people in ways that do not relate solely to disability.

Systems Change. We promote activities that make wide reaching changes through broad social and cultural systems.

Natural Part of the Human Condition. We believe disability is a natural part of the human condition – we see disability as a difference, not a deficit.

Inclusion. We prefer activities to be integrated with people without disabilities in regular and generic settings.

Cross-Disability. We fund activities in common areas such as housing, health, employment, and community inclusion.

Intersectionality. We believe that the skills involved in understanding disability are related to the skills of embracing all forms of diversity.

Empowerment. We engage in activities that meaningfully involve people with disabilities from start to finish.