Getting Involved in the IDD Community: Exploring Public Engagement

Have you been wanting to get more involved with the IDD community but aren’t sure where to start? Or maybe you haven’t been able to find the time. Lending a hand to the IDD community has never been more accessible and there are many great ways to interact and offer support. Explore the options below to see how you can become more involved with the community. 

• Start researching events and ways to offer support in your area 

A great place to start is to research some upcoming events in your community. This could be anything from a raffle, seasonal event, or programs looking for volunteers. If you have some free time after work or on the weekends, you can create a list of local organizations and contact them to see if they need assistance. Schools and organizational programs often host events to raise money and awareness for the IDD community. 

• Volunteer in your community 

On a similar note, you’re likely to come across volunteering opportunities in your research for local events and organizations. Perhaps an event needs someone to help sell snacks and drinks at an event or be a chaperone. Offering some of your free time goes a long way and is a very rewarding thing to participate in. 

• Become an advocate 

You’ve likely heard about becoming an advocate for a cause you feel passionate about- but where do you start and what does it mean? Start by researching more about the IDD community. Or maybe you have a friend or family member with a disability, and you are familiar with IDD. It can be helpful to look at statistics, individual rights, and more about daily life as a disabled individual. You can either be vocal about your advocacy on your own (such as on social media platforms) or you can join forces with existing organizations who promote the overall well-being of the IDD community. 

• Join social media pages 

You probably have some type of social media account, such as Facebook or Instagram. Facebook particularly has a wide variety of groups (some exclusive but many open to all) which is a great place for people in the community or supporting the community to connect virtually and build a network of support. Start by typing in some keywords or phrases that pertain to IDD and see what comes in a search. Explore the group’s page (if the page is public) to see their photos, posts, and upcoming events, and to see if they align with your values. Outside of groups, you can share content to your own social media pages, such as educational articles, or links to websites encouraging others to consider becoming an advocate. 

• Donate or offer financial support 

If you are financially stable and want to give monetary support to the IDD community, it can help to fund helpful things to organizations, especially if they are nonprofit. Some organizations host events where they have raffles, or merchandise to purchase where the money goes to help their individuals. Or you can research various advocacies or agencies that accept donations. This can help to fund assistive technology, education, and more for the community. 

It's exciting to begin an advocacy journey for a cause that means a lot to you. For more advice and ways to get involved, check out Hello, It’s Me® where we have multiple services for the IDD community and ways to interact. 

Sources

"Do You Believe in Equal Rights for All?" The Arc, 2025, thearc.org/join-our-fight. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

"BE AN INCLUSION ADVOCATE." National Inclusion Project, 2025, www.inclusionproject.org/how-to-be-an-inclusion-advocate/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.