The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is said to have said, "You can judge a nation by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens." In fact, there are numerous quotes that convey similar sentiments. Why then during times of financial uncertainty are the services and programs necessary to promote and maintain the health and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) as well as other vulnerable populations among the first to face budget cuts or be eliminated completely? Historically, society has relied heavily on institutions to care for people with disabilities. The idea that individuals with disabilities could not – and should not – be cared for in their communities perpetuated the stigma associated with this population. Over the past three decades, however, there have been ongoing efforts to better serve people with developmental disabilities. Advocates, legislators, and family members have joined forces with individuals with developmental disabilities to voice the need to develop and establish accessible services that ease the transition from institutionalization and that promote and strengthen community inclusion. The institutionalization of people with developmental disabilities is easily perceived as a serious act, qualifying it as a social problem according to the claims making model (Diehm, 2012a). In an effort to redress many perpetual injustices, oppressions, and marginalization of people with disabilities, advocates and people with disabilities worked together to sustain a social movement that led to the birth of the disability rights movement (Winter, 2003). This movement sought to empower those living with disabilities, like us... half of paper...... http://bb.tacoma.uw.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-203387_1Diehm, T. (2012b ). Defining Social Problems [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from http://bb.tacoma.uw.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-203387_1Dolgoff, R. & Feldstein, D. (2013). Understanding social welfare: A quest for social justice (9th ed.). Boston: Pearson.Hutchison, E. D. (2011a). Dimensions of human behavior: Person and environment (fourth edition). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.Hutchison, E. D. (2011b). Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (fourth edition). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. National Association of Social Workers (2008). Code of Ethics. Washington, DC: Author: Wallack, S., Sciegaj, M., & Long, L. (2002). Short- and medium-term trends influencing health policy for people with disabilities, chronic diseases and special needs. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 12, 4, 236-242.