Understanding Inclusion

The document explains that funding priorities significantly impact inclusion efforts. ​ When funding is limited, organizations often prioritize providing current services to as many people as possible, meeting immediate needs, and respecting individual or family choices for existing arrangements. ​ This approach typically results in lower responsibility for inclusion (Quadrants I & II), where inclusion is seen as important but not central to the organization’s mission. ​

In contrast, higher funding levels can enable organizations to prioritize inclusion efforts. ​ This includes reinvesting resources away from settings that congregate people with disabilities and toward social innovations that actively promote inclusion. ​ High responsibility for inclusion (Quadrants III & IV) views it as a moral and practical imperative, requiring organizations to focus on building relationships across boundaries and supporting individuals in pursuing valued social roles in typical community settings. ​

Ultimately, funding priorities shape whether inclusion is treated as a secondary concern or as a central mission requiring deep change and innovation. ​