AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities.

• Achieving full societal inclusion and participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Advocating for equality, individual dignity and other human rights.
• Expanding opportunities for choice and self-determination.
• Influencing positive attitudes and public awareness by recognizing the contributions of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Promoting genuine accommodations to expand participation in all aspects of life.
• Aiding families and other caregivers to provide support in the community.
• Increasing access to quality health, education, vocational, and other human services and supports.
• Advancing basic and applied research to prevent or minimize the effects of intellectual disability and to enhance the quality of life.
• Cultivating and providing leadership in the field.
• Seeking a diversity of disciplines, cultures, and perspectives in our work.
• Enhancing skills, knowledge, rewards and conditions of people working in the field.
• Encouraging promising students to pursue careers in the field of disabilities.
• Establishing partnerships and strategic alliances with organizations that share our values and goals.