In January 2026, IHD completed a Comprehensive Review and Analysis (CRA) for the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC), evaluating the current state of Arizona’s service system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This statewide study will inform the Council’s upcoming Five-Year Plan and support strategic decision-making to enhance services and supports for individuals with I/DD throughout Arizona.
The CRA combined in-depth analysis of statewide demographic and service system data with extensive community input from individuals with I/DD, families, service providers, advocates, and community organizations. Data collection included a review of existing reports, surveys completed by 203 individuals and 158 organizations, and 10 community conversations that engaged more than 125 participants from diverse regions and communities throughout the state. This mixed-methods approach ensured that the findings reflect both system-level trends and lived experience.
Findings highlight important strengths within Arizona’s I/DD service system, including healthcare coverage, early intervention and educational supports, employment and vocational programs, housing resources, and interagency collaboration. At the same time, the CRA identified persistent gaps and barriers, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where transportation challenges, provider shortages, and limited local resources restrict access to timely and appropriate services.
Healthcare access emerged as a major concern statewide, especially for specialty care and behavioral health services. Workforce shortages, long wait times, and limited provider expertise in I/DD were consistently cited as barriers. Employment remains another critical area of focus, with participants identifying stigma, limited awareness of available programs, and uneven access to vocational and transition services as ongoing challenges. Families and individuals also emphasized the need for stronger service coordination, clearer system navigation, and expanded respite and peer support options.
Across all data sources, community members underscored the importance of culturally responsive services, targeted outreach to underserved populations, and meaningful involvement of individuals with I/DD in planning and decision-making processes, reflecting the guiding principle of “nothing about us without us.”
By integrating quantitative data with community-driven insights, IHD’s Comprehensive Review and Analysis provides a clear, evidence-based foundation for future planning. The findings will support ADDPC in shaping priorities, policies, and investments that advance equity, strengthen systems, and expand opportunities for Arizonans with I/DD to live, work, and fully participate in their communities.
Click here to read the 2026 Comprehensive Review and Analysis.