Home
News
About
The Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of society. As practitioners, researchers, and teachers, we form partnerships with individuals, families, and service agencies. Together we advocate for personal choice, self-determination, and social and economic justice.
We are dedicated to advancing the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Our work encompasses research, program evaluation, training, consultation, education, policy analysis, and service delivery across four main areas of emphasis: Employment, Education, Community Life, and Health Care.
We have three national hubs: ExploreVR and ThinkWork, which focus on inclusive employment, and ThinkCollege, which focuses on inclusive higher education.
Projects
Our projects involve conducting state and national employment research, increasing access to higher education, supporting children with disabilities to plan for a fulfilling future, and much more.
Services
From expert consultation and technical assistance to online training for employment professionals, our services help agency leaders and disability staff to excel and thrive in their work.
Publications
Online Learning

ExploreVR

ExploreVR gives vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies easy and convenient access to a range of VR research, related data, and tools for planning, evaluation, and decision-making. Users can watch videos highlighting success stories of VR clients who have found fulfilling work in their communities. A range of toolkits provide resources on topics such as business engagement and labor market information.

ICI conducts a wide range of research related to VR, such as the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) project, which focused on improving the wage outcomes of people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance. Members of the SGA team implemented a model demonstration rigorously testing a rapid engagement coordinated team approach in Kentucky and Minnesota.

Learn how Explore VR supports research and innovation around employment.