Theories and Models of Support

There have been a multitude of theories of disability that have and continue to drive service systems and models of support. NOIRE will examine the relationship between models of support and prevailing disability theories and their impact on service delivery and social change.

Support Coordination

Support Coordination is a transformative approach to helping people who experience IDD that fundamentally shifts power dynamics and operational frameworks within home and community-based services. As one of the primary leverage points in the HCBS system, how support coordination is conceptualized and implemented can create ripple effects throughout the entire HCBS system. NOIRE is at the vanguard of this paradigm-level shift.

Restorative Justice

Individuals with intellectual and developmental distinctions and/or autism face disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system and experience victimization and abuse at alarming rates. NOIRE conducts essential research to address these inequalities and showcases programs designed to improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (JIID). 

Abuse -Neglect-Exploitation

Preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation is crucial for the well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). NOIRE addresses both individual acts of mistreatment and systemic patterns of abuse that affect vulnerable populations. We recognize that harm against people with IDD occurs across multiple levels—from interpersonal violence to institutional failures and broader societal structures that perpetuate discrimination and marginalization.

Multi-System Participants

Approximately 35% of individuals with intellectual and developmental distinctions experience concurrent mental health conditions, while substance use and abuse also pose ongoing challenges. NOIRE investigates prevalence, risk factors, and system responses, aiming to synthesize research and identify promising practices in supporting individuals with IDD/MI/SUD.

Indigenous/Native American 

At NOIRE, we believe the legacy of colonization and cultural suppression has inflicted intergenerational trauma and socio-economic disparities on Native American communities, potentially contributing to elevated rates of developmental disabilities. The Decolonization of service systems and the importance of native voices in the design and development of structures and models of service delivery will be explored.