Assessing perceived agency adherence to the values of community inclusion: implications for staff satisfaction.

Measures of staff members' knowledge (N = 518) of the values of community inclusion, perception of agency adherence to community inclusion, and satisfaction with relevant components of their jobs were developed. Staff represented 130 agencies in a state-wide program of individualized community living supports for adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities. Results suggest relatively high levels of knowledge about values of inclusion and perceived agency adherence to the inclusion philosophy among employees regarding the need to provide individuals who have disabilities with opportunities for engaging in community daily activities and their rights for services. Employees, however, had significantly less knowledge of and noted less agency adherence to activities intended to provide consumers with opportunities to make choices. Staff who perceived more agency adherence to the philosophy of inclusion were more satisfied with their jobs.