Living Inclusively for Everyone, Inc. (LIFE) is a non-profit organization started by a group of parents with more than 30 years of experience advocating for children with developmental disabilities.
LIFE was originated in 2003 with the vision of full community participation and integration for individuals with disabilities. Our MISSION is Inclusion, Employment, Education and Enjoyment.
Individuals with disabilities want the same things the rest of us want:
- To work
- To learn
- To belong
Inclusion
LIFE’s mission is to promote the inclusion of persons with developmental disabilities into all aspects of their natural community. With this in mind, the Directors have identified three main areas of concern: employment, education and enjoyment.
Employment
National and State studies have shown that about 75% of all persons with disabilities are currently unemployed and this percentage reaches 87% when we limit it to persons with developmental disabilities. These same studies show that over 80% of this population wants to work.
Work is an integral part of adult life. As such, persons with developmental disabilities will never be full participants in our society without access to jobs in their communities.
Education
Children with Diasbilities have the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) until they are 22 years of age. Parents and society must demand that these years be used most effectively.
Enjoyment
LIFE encourages parents to send their children to inclusive recreational settings. To this end, we assist parents in finding programs that will include their child. It is LIFE’s belief that in order to build a better future for persons with developmental disabilities we must give today’s typical children an opportunity to interact with children with developmental disabilities in natural settings. Thus, reinforcing the truth that persons with disabilities are a natural part of the human experience.
LIFE was originated in 2003 with the vision of full community participation and integration for individuals with disabilities. Our MISSION is Inclusion, Employment, Education and Enjoyment.
Individuals with disabilities want the same things the rest of us want:
- To work
- To learn
- To belong
Our Mission
Inclusion
LIFE’s mission is to promote the inclusion of persons with developmental disabilities into all aspects of their natural community. With this in mind, the Directors have identified three main areas of concern: employment, education and enjoyment.
Employment
National and State studies have shown that about 75% of all persons with disabilities are currently unemployed and this percentage reaches 87% when we limit it to persons with developmental disabilities. These same studies show that over 80% of this population wants to work.
Work is an integral part of adult life. As such, persons with developmental disabilities will never be full participants in our society without access to jobs in their communities.
Education
Children with Diasbilities have the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) until they are 22 years of age. Parents and society must demand that these years be used most effectively.
Enjoyment
LIFE encourages parents to send their children to inclusive recreational settings. To this end, we assist parents in finding programs that will include their child. It is LIFE’s belief that in order to build a better future for persons with developmental disabilities we must give today’s typical children an opportunity to interact with children with developmental disabilities in natural settings. Thus, reinforcing the truth that persons with disabilities are a natural part of the human experience.