From Institutions to Inclusion: The Ongoing Journey
June 2025
Following the momentum of the 1960s and 1970s, the deinstitutionalization movement in Canada led to significant changes in how society supported individuals with developmental disabilities. As large institutions closed, families, advocates, and community organizations collaborated to create more inclusive models of care. Group homes, supported employment programs, and inclusive education became more common, allowing individuals to participate fully in their communities.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, policy reforms reflected these evolving values. Governments began introducing person-centered planning and individualized funding, giving people greater control over the services they received. Advocacy organizations, such as the Canadian Association for Community Living (now Inclusion Canada), played a central role in driving these changes, pushing for equality, autonomy, and accessibility.
Legal victories helped solidify the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities, while growing public awareness began to reduce stigma. Despite progress, challenges such as long waitlists, underemployment, and housing shortages persisted.
Today, the movement continues to evolve. Emphasis on self-advocacy, innovation in assistive technologies, and recognition of diverse identities are shaping a more inclusive future. The foundations laid during the deinstitutionalization era remain vital, ensuring the ongoing push toward dignity, choice, and community inclusion for all.