Bridging the Gap: How People with IDD Can Thrive in the Broader Community

Written By Gabriel Brown

For too long, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been viewed through the lens of their limitations rather than their potential. In Virginia, inclusion is not just a goal but a measurable outcome supported through services like Community Guide programs that help people build real relationships and meaningful community roles.

Many individuals with developmental disabilities live, work, or go to school within their communities yet still experience isolation. Being physically present does not always mean being included. True inclusion means belonging, having roles, relationships, and opportunities to participate fully in community life.

That is where Community Guide services in Virginia play a critical role. Through one-on-one support, Community Guides help people navigate local opportunities, connect to inclusive spaces, and gain confidence to engage independently over time.

Inclusion offers more than social benefit. It directly impacts well-being and community health. When individuals with disabilities take active roles in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and programs, the entire community becomes stronger, more compassionate, and more aware.

Research on social inclusion for people with developmental disabilities shows that belonging improves life satisfaction, reduces loneliness, and builds stronger communities. These outcomes are exactly what New Path Support’s Community Guide services aim to achieve across Virginia.

Despite progress, many barriers remain:

  • Community stigma and lack of awareness

  • Accessibility and transportation challenges

  • Fear of rejection or not fitting in

  • Limited coordination between support systems and local organizations

Through person-centered Community Guide planning, New Path Support helps individuals and families overcome these challenges. Our team connects people to meaningful community roles, introduces them to inclusive programs, and stays involved to ensure lasting relationships form over time.

At New Path Support, we believe inclusion does not stop at participation. It is about genuine relationships and independence. Our Community Guide and Housing Guide services, provided under the Virginia DD Waiver, help individuals find belonging, purpose, and connection that last.

References

Bigby, C., Douglas, J., & Bould, E. (2023). Social inclusion and community participation of adults with intellectual disability: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 36(2), 221–237. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211609523000027

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). (n.d.). Developmental services overview. https://dbhds.virginia.gov/developmental-services/waiver-services/

Wilson, N. J., & Scior, K. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness among adults with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 740303. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7403030/

Gabriel Brown