Welcome to the Alliance for Full Participation (AFP). AFP is a formal partnership of leading organizations serving the developmental disabilities field that share a common vision- to help create a better and more fulfilling quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. AFP was created in this vision and the hope that through the diversity of our many voices we can collectively achieve this goal.

That people with developmental disabilities and their families realize the promise of integration, productivity, independence and quality of life choices.

To dream, plan, work, mobilize and organize people with developmental disabilities, their families, and supporting communities and organizations to make the promise of integration, productivity, independence and quality of life a reality in policy and practice.

The AFP membership is the embodiment of Many Voices, One Vision. Our member organizations have diverse histories, leadership, members and priorities, but they are ultimately working toward the same end. The 2005 Summit is the nexus of Many Voices, One Vision. For the first time in history, our organizations have come together to host a national Summit to create a social agenda and action plan for fulfilling its vision.

On September 22-23, AFP will host the 2005 Summit in Washington DC to bring together those committed to making the promises inherent in the Developmental Disabilities Act for Americans a reality. Over two thousand individuals are expected to attend to help craft a new strategic policy and social agenda in support of full participation, and to carry forward and implement that agenda in their communities. Please join us in making full participation a reality. For more information on the Summit, click here.

Take a look around your community. Are you aware of people with developmental disabilities? Are they involved in the everyday activities that others might take for granted? Consider the value of having the opportunities that we need in order to achieve our goals. For people with developmental disabilities, these activities play a tremendous role in how they identify themselves, how they perceive their lives, and how they are able to fulfill their ambitions. Things that many people take for granted, such as having a job, an education, and being able to live on their own, are things for which those with developmental disabilities often have to work very hard. But when they are able to achieve these goals, it makes an incredible difference in their lives and enriches our communities.

Not only does full participation help us realize the value we can gain from encouraging and promoting diversity among our communities and organizations, but it makes a tremendous difference for those who otherwise might have to work for the basic opportunities that others enjoy. Full inclusion enriches communities and enhances the lives of those who are touched by these efforts, whether they have a disability themselves, care for someone with a disability, or simply know someone with a disability. We can help make this powerful difference by working together to achieve full participation in our own communities.

There are five key areas of importance related to full participation: housing, transportation, education, employment, and personal safety. Think about how important these issues are in life and the role they play in how we define ourselves and measure our successes.

Full participation is possible and it is important. Working together, our organizations and our communities can successfully create and bring public awareness to a model that demonstrates that full participation can, and should, be achieved. With your help, we can work to make a difference by focusing on these areas and learning from the successes that many people with developmental disabilities have achieved in each area. These inspiring stories should remind us that we can make a difference, and that the differences we make—while they may seem small to us—will change people’s lives in remarkable ways.

AFP’s vision for full participation has become a reality in many communities. These examples will enable us to spread this message and our inspiring stories across the country. What could be more inspiring than sharing in the successes of others?

• Housing
• Transportation
• Education
• Employment
• Personal Safety