Stronger Communities: The Ripple Effect Of Self-Determination In IDD Support

Forbes

28-07-2025

Written by Dr. Katie Arnold, Executive Director, Our Place
When adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are empowered to make choices about their own lives, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Families feel more supported, communities grow more inclusive, and society benefits both socially and economically. Investing in IDD supports that foster self-determination for people with IDD leads to stronger, more sustainable communities for everyone.
What Is Self-Determination?
Self-determination refers to a person's right and ability to make choices about their own life. For people with IDD, self-determination does not always come easy—it often must be intentionally taught, nurtured, and supported. To make meaningful choices, individuals need clear, accessible information about their options, the time and space to reflect on their preferences, and the support of trusted people who can help them turn their choices into action. At its core, self-determination is about dignity, choice, and the right to direct one's own life—fundamental values that every person deserves to experience, regardless of ability.
Our Place: A Model of Innovative, Person-Centered Support
Our Place of New Trier Township (Our Place) exemplifies what self-determination looks like in action. Located just north of Chicago in Wilmette, Illinois, Our Place offers a robust model of innovative programs where adults with IDD are not passive recipients of care—they are active participants shaping their own experiences.
Our Place is dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals with IDD by building a place of belonging and community connections and strengthening essential life skills. Participants at Our Place choose from a diverse range of programs that align with their interests and goals. They have the freedom to craft schedules that reflect what matters most to them. Innovative programs focus on developing social skills and fostering meaningful relationships. This person-centered model respects the individuality, values, and dreams of the people it serves.
Our Place intentionally embeds self-determination throughout its operations, as demonstrated by its person-centered supports and commitment to quality. Using data-driven tools and personal outcome measures, the organization ensures each participant's voice guides planning and remains central to decision-making.
Community Impact: A Ripple Effect in Action
The ripple effect of self-determination is not only visible in the lives of individuals and families—it extends into the heart of the community. At Our Place, participants, staff, volunteers, and supporters contribute to a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant society.
Adults with IDD are active participants in the local economy. When they are supported to live and engage in their communities, they spend money at local restaurants, shops, and businesses. Whether it's grabbing coffee at a neighborhood café, going bowling, or shopping at local stores, their spending contributes to the vitality of the local community.
Community Lunch is a favorite program at Our Place, where participants visit local restaurants in small groups. They choose a venue and review menus to prepare in advance. With staff support, they practice ordering, managing money, and socializing—building real-world life skills in a supportive setting. This adds over $10,000 to the local economy, highlighting the broader social and economic impact of community participation.
Adults with IDD also give back through extensive volunteerism. Participants at Our Place contribute more than 1,000 hours of community service each year. For example, every weekday morning, a group heads to the New Trier Township Food Pantry to sort canned goods and stock shelves, helping ensure the pantry runs smoothly throughout the week. This ongoing commitment has fostered strong connections between participants, township officials, and community members. These efforts help meet real needs and deepen social bonds across the community.
IDD support programs also stimulate local employment. Economically, Our Place strengthens the local community as an employer and neighbor. The organization has created 18 jobs offering above-industry wages and comprehensive benefits for employees. Staff members, in turn, support nearby businesses—frequenting local coffee shops, filling up on gas, and picking things up at grocery stores—creating a local economic impact of more than $1 million each year.
Collaboration is central to Our Place's community engagement. By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and other local organizations, Our Place enhances services and advances a shared commitment to equity and access. These partnerships also foster greater awareness, understanding, and inclusion of people with disabilities in everyday life. With deep community roots, Our Place has become a model for how self-determined lives can shape stronger, more connected communities.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Individual
When people with IDD are empowered to make choices and direct their own supports, the impact reverberates outward.
Research shows that inclusive communities are not only more equitable, they are also more resilient and prosperous. Schools, workplaces, and local institutions that embrace diversity tend to be more creative, adaptive, and cohesive. Empowering people with IDD is not a charitable act, it is an investment in the health and sustainability of the entire community.
Programs like Our Place create ripple effects that improve quality of life not only for people with IDD but also for their families and the wider community. At Our Place, the belief in everyone's right to direct their future drives daily actions and meaningful results. Through innovative programs and a commitment to choice, adults with IDD are empowered to live fuller lives. Investing in each person's potential strengthens the entire community.