What is an Intellectual Disability?
There are approximately 4.5 million individuals with intellectual disabilities in the United States. Intellectual disabilities are severe, life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical impairments, manifested before age 22. Intellectual disabilities result in substantial limitations in three or more areas of major life activities:
- capacity for independent living
- economic self-sufficiency
- learning
- mobility
- receptive and expressive language
- self-care
- self-direction
Without appropriate services and supports, the choices open to people with with intellectual disabilities including where they live, work, and play are minimal. They are isolated rather than fully integrated and included in the mainstream of society. Persons with intellectual disabilities require individually planned and coordinated services and supports (e.g., housing, employment, education, civil and human rights protection, health care) from many providers in order to have a good quality of life in the community.