Jacob, photo by Amil Zavo

A person who has a diagnosis of developmental disability is just as fully a person and a citizen as is any one else. He or she has the same range of likes and dislikes and character traits as any other person. Everyone has some limitations. People with developmental disabilities have limitations in their ability to learn and perform daily life skills. Some have other physical or emotional challenges. Often people who have developmental disabilities are less preoccupied with competition and success than is typical in our society, and they may have a keen sensitivity to relationships and a gift for celebration and for creating unity. L'Arche believes that people with developmental disabilities have important contributions to make to others, contributions that help to humanize our society.