Deinstitutionalization: Unfinished Business

The goal of deinstitutionalization is to move people with ID/DD out of segregated institutions to integrated lives in the community with services and supports. Research and experience clearly show the benefits of community living compared with living in an institution. These benefits include an increased quality of life for people with ID/DD, cost savings for the government, and the opportunity to use these savings to provide services to people who are currently not served.

When the system works well, transitioning people from an institution to the community begins with a plan for each resident and results in each . . .