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We would like to extend many thanks to the friends of IAG for the gifts, contributions and donations that made our 2025 golf outing a success.

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Visit The Balancing Act

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Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid has captivated viewers nationwide with its engaging content and unique perspectives on various topics. The Individual Advocacy Group (IAG) and Viewpoint have formed a partnership to educate the public about the importance of community-integrated support as well as personal and professional advocacy for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring behavioral health conditions.

IAG is dedicated to creating a world where people with disabilities are treated equitably. Their programs and services encompass advocacy and case management, community-based residential programs, life skills training, vocational support, job placement assistance, community integration, and ongoing mentorship.

IAG aims to foster a nurturing and inclusive community where people with disabilities can build meaningful relationships, establish strong support networks, and develop their unique talents and interests.

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If Silicon Valley Can Build Rockets, It Can Build Belonging: Stop Treating Disability as a Side Project

Silicon Valley has achieved extraordinary innovation—now it’s time to innovate inclusion. Learn why disability shouldn’t be treated as a side project but as a foundation for true belonging in tech.

iagcares

Mindset Before Policy: The Hidden Costs of How We Treat People with Complex Needs

Mental distress is far more common among adults with disabilities, leaving millions in need of integrated support that blends physical, behavioral, and social care.

iagcares

Diagnostic Overshadowing in Healthcare: Insights from Individual Advocacy Group

In clinical settings involving mental health and developmental disability care, what a clinician expects to see can shape what they look for. Individual Advocacy Group (IAG) notes that this dynamic, known as diagnostic overshadowing, can limit clinical curiosity, delay treatment, and diminish a person's sense of being fully seen.

iagcares

Ignorance Of The Law Is No Excuse

People With Disabilities Win Fair Housing Case Against Springfield Zach Roth ~ Springfield State Journal- Register USA TODAY NETWORK A...

iagcares

Landmark Victory

City of Springfield penalized for violating Fair Housing Act The seven-year-old court case that determined Springfield illegally...

iagcares

Featured

IAG successfully challenged Springfield’s restrictive zoning laws, securing a legal victory and $293,000 in damages, setting a precedent for housing rights and inclusion for people with disabilities.

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IAG’s progressive approach to disability support breaks barriers with innovative programs in arts and employment, empowering individuals while advocating for social justice and inclusion.

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IAG was recently featured on usatoday.com for its innovative, person-centered approach to supporting adults with disabilities. The article highlights how IAG’s tailored services empower individuals and foster community inclusion. Check out the full feature to learn more about their impactful work!

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IAG is featured on usinsider.com for its innovative approach to workplace diversity, highlighting partnerships with Lewis University, Portillo’s, and the Snack Shack initiative. Learn more about how IAG is breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity by reading the full article on usinsider.com.

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When assumptions shape care outcomes. Diagnostic overshadowing happens when new symptoms are seen through the lens of an existing diagnosis, leading to delayed or missed treatment and patients feeling unseen. Experts from Individual Advocacy Group explain how this bias shows up in real clinical settings and what needs to change to make care more thoughtful and person-centered.

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We Educate and Elevate

Movie Production

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Speakers Bureau

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Woodworking Design Studio

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Yoga and Meditation Classes

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We Are Agents of Social Change

We believe in inclusion, equity, dignity and respect for every human life. Where there is injustice, we strive to be agents of change on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Everyone deserves an equal chance at a happy life. We believe every individual needs:

To live in and integrate with a community of their choice.
To live with housemates in safe and adequate housing.
To live with, learn from, and have friends of all races.
To form real relationships.
To have job opportunities.
To be valued as individuals and recognized for their contributions.
To maintain family relationships.
To socialize with friends.
To live free of abuse and neglect.

To privacy and the enjoyment of life.
To learn and grow.
To companionship with people and pets.
To opportunities for creativity and self-expression.
To clean drinking water and healthy food.
To an abundance of choices.
To simple pleasures like developing a personal style, enjoying a warm cup of coffee, or dating.
To live independent lives with dignity and respect and free from discrimination or segregation.

"Injustice anywhere is

a threat to justice everywhere"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

News and Blogs

If Silicon Valley Can Build Rockets, It Can Build Belonging: Stop Treating Disability as a Side Project

Silicon Valley has achieved extraordinary innovation—now it’s time to innovate inclusion. Learn why disability shouldn’t be treated as a side project but as a foundation for true belonging in tech.

Mindset Before Policy: The Hidden Costs of How We Treat People with Complex Needs

Mental distress is far more common among adults with disabilities, leaving millions in need of integrated support that blends physical, behavioral, and social care.

Diagnostic Overshadowing in Healthcare: Insights from Individual Advocacy Group

In clinical settings involving mental health and developmental disability care, what a clinician expects to see can shape what they look for. Individual Advocacy Group (IAG) notes that this dynamic, known as diagnostic overshadowing, can limit clinical curiosity, delay treatment, and diminish a person's sense of being fully seen.

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