Three Fundamental Premises

The ICS program is based on three fundamental premises:

• People with disabilities often can take the lead role in planning and managing their own health care and social supports. They typically know a great deal about their bodies and their needs. They need knowledgeable people to work with them in making the system work for them.
• People with disabilities need a service system that blends social supports and medical services. Their daily living needs are primarily social. Their need for medical services typically occurs periodically when illness or medical conditions threaten their health.
• Each individual with disabilities has unique needs and preferences, which must be recognized and addressed. What is most valuable to one person will probably not be the same for another. We need to enable each individual to receive what they consider valuable as much as possible.