People who have an intellectual disability have lived experience and should be included on Boards and Committees, to help make better decisions, and lead to stronger leadership, and more inclusive communities. It moves organizations beyond talking about inclusion – to truly living it.
People with intellectual disabilities bring valuable perspectives, lived expertise, and unique insights that can strengthen governance, shape priorities, and help organizations better understand the real impact of their decisions.
When organizations create accessible and welcoming Board and Committee environments, they demonstrate leadership, promote citizenship, and model inclusion for the broader community.
This toolkit was created to support organizations in building more inclusive Boards and Committees where people with lived experience can participate meaningfully and confidently. Whether you are a Member, mentor, staff person, presenter, or a person with lived experience, this resource offers practical tips, tools, and strategies to help create a culture of belonging, accessibility, and shared leadership.
Overview
Involving people with lived experience of having an intellectual disability on Boards or Committees can promote citizenship, role model inclusion in our communities and lead to best outcomes.
Promote Citizenship
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) marked a shift from a charity-based model of disability to viewing people with disability as active citizens in society with the right to be full participating members of society. To reflect the full citizenship status of people with intellectual disability, participation must extend to the inclusion of this cohort in the decision-making and governance of community organizations (Curryer, et al., 2025). People with intellectual disability are one group that continues to be left out of involvement at a governance level, even within organizations that provide services to this cohort (Anderson & Bigy, 2024). People with intellectual disabilities are excluded from advisory committees, or are not sufficiently supported to participate, even within organizations that are focused on providing services to this cohort (Anderson & Bigy, 2024, p. 225)
Role Model Inclusion
Developmental Service agencies should be role models in their community for inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities on agency Boards and Committees and in governance.
In 2023, a survey done by Community Living Ontario found that about half of their 117 member organizations across Ontario have members who have an intellectual disability, and some also have a physical disability, and/ or sensory impairment, such as being deaf or having limited sight.
Best Outcomes
Research shows that the best Boards and Committees have a variety of people on them; people who bring different life experiences, knowledge and skills to the Boards and Committees table. Having people with lived experience on Boards of Directors helps organizations better understand the real-life impact of decisions, strengthens accountability, and promotes more inclusive and person-centered leadership. Including people with intellectual disabilities in governance demonstrates a commitment to citizenship, self-determination, and shared decision-making, while also serving as a powerful role model for inclusion in the broader community. Research shows that diverse Boards and Committees make stronger decisions, and people with lived experience often identify barriers, opportunities, and priorities that others may overlook. With accessible information, mentorship, and the right supports, self-advocates can make meaningful and valuable contributions at the Boards and Committees table.
This toolkit is designed to support meaningful inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in organization Committees and the Board of Directors.
Every seat at the table plays an important role.
Choose the one that represents you.
Every seat at the table plays an important role.
Choose the one that represents you.
