Community Integration: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

community-integration-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important

About one in four adults in the U.S. are living with some sort of disability that impacts major life activities. Individuals with disabilities are often excluded from community participation, including relationships, leisure activities, and employment. As a trusted provider of residential services in Richton Park, Illinois, we will discuss community integration and its importance.

So, what is community integration?

Community integration refers to the assimilation of individuals with disabilities into the larger community. This enables persons with disabilities to fully participate in the community at the same level as non-disabled individuals. This can take place in community centers, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and more.

For people with disabilities to enjoy full lives within their communities, they must have equal access to healthcare, employment, education, and housing. This also includes healthcare, recreation, valued social roles, and civic engagement.

Why is community integration important?

For a person with an intellectual disability in Richton Park, Illinois, community integration is just as important as adequate housing. Integration is vital to our community’s overall health and provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to have a strong presence in the community without reducing them to their disability level.

For this reason, we at Gentle Hands Rehabilitation, Inc. offer quality residential services to clients with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. As an established residential group home in Illinois, we support residents to help them develop the skills needed to live independently.

In addition to community-integrated living arrangements, we help residents develop community integration skills by way of mobility training and increasing access to community resources. Reach out to us to learn more about our programs.

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