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The Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of society. As practitioners, researchers, and teachers, we form partnerships with individuals, families, and service agencies. Together we advocate for personal choice, self-determination, and social and economic justice.
We are dedicated to advancing the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Our work encompasses research, program evaluation, training, consultation, education, policy analysis, and service delivery across four main areas of emphasis: Employment, Education, Community Life, and Health Care.
We have three national hubs: ExploreVR and ThinkWork, which focus on inclusive employment, and ThinkCollege, which focuses on inclusive higher education.
Projects
Our projects involve conducting state and national employment research, increasing access to higher education, supporting children with disabilities to plan for a fulfilling future, and much more.
Services
From expert consultation and technical assistance to online training for employment professionals, our services help agency leaders and disability staff to excel and thrive in their work.
Publications
Online Learning

Employment First Massachusetts

EmploymentFirstMA supports the implementation of Employment First strategies and policies in Massachusetts. Employment First is a framework for systems change used across the nation. This framework promotes the idea that all people, with and without disabilities, are able to fully participate in competitive, integrated employment and community life.

EmploymentFirstMA is hosted by ICI and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). This initiative assists providers with the transformation from center-based work to work in the community. ICI provides training, technical assistance, and access to a wide range of tools and resources that support the Blueprint for Success, DDS’s plan for improving integrated employment outcomes across the state.

Learn how Employment First is becoming a reality in Massachusetts.