Institutions for persons with intellectual disabilities in the USA largely developed after the Civil War. Individuals were separated from their home communities in a setting that was expected to concentrate the professional resources necessary to "cure" the person. Since the end of WW II, there has occurred a changing philosophy which has led to a movement of helping individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence and integration into community life.

In the field of mental illness, this movement was greatly helped in the 1950's by the introduction of the then new psychotropic medications. In the field of intellectual disabilities, the movement was spurred by the organization of parents and advocates into groups like the ARC, who began demanding that more services be provided in the community for their children with disabilities.

Nationally, the number of persons with developmental disabilities living in institutions decreased by nearly half (44%) between 1980 and 1993. In Wyoming, individuals with developmental disabilities living in the Wyoming State Training School in Lander began returning to their home communities in 1989. This trend intensified as a result of the Weston lawsuit in 1990 requiring the state to improve services at the Wyoming State Training School and develop appropriate alternatives in community settings. In Wyoming, community services have evolved which includes three primary systems of support for persons with disabilities needing services: Developmental Preschools for children birth to age five, special education for persons up to 21 years of age, and waiver service providers for adults.

The shifted to community services has also resulted in an effort for more active inclusion in community life. This more proactive approach includes working to provide more opportunity for personal growth and development, social relationships, valued community participation, self-determination and choices--rights and responsibilities that most of us take for granted, but which have in the past often been denied to individuals with developmental disabilities.

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