The association strives to enhance public awareness and life opportunities of the people served and their families, in accordance with the highest standards.
AAIDD has adopted a 13-point set of principles to accomplish the mission:
Achieving full societal inclusion and participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Advocating for equality, individual dignity and other human rights.
Expanding opportunities for choice and self-determination.
Influencing positive attitudes and public awareness by recognizing the contributions of people with intellectual disabilities.
Promoting genuine accommodations to expand participation in all aspects of life.
Aiding families and other caregivers to provide support in the community.
Increasing access to quality health, education, vocational, and other human services and supports.
Advancing basic and applied research to prevent or minimize the effects of intellectual disability and to enhance the quality of life.
Cultivating and providing leadership in the field.
Seeking a diversity of disciplines, cultures, and perspectives in our work.
Enhancing skills, knowledge, rewards and conditions of people working in the field.
