The first of five papers written by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Planning Council's Deinstitutionalization Task Force Project, this document focuses on the role of institutional services. Following a brief summary of planning principles (least restrictive alternative, right to services, normalization, equal justice, respect for human dignity, and developmental orientation), the document reviews planning processes and strategies. Each of 10 potential system barriers (prior fiscal investment, employee rights, parent concerns, public attitudes, community resources, funding resources, legal concerns, coordination/management, individual rights, and community program capacity) is addressed in terms of consequences, solution strategies, and conclusions. Recommendations include increased funding to expand local services, cost-sharing between state and local community, and increased planning efforts geared to developing integrated community-based services. (CL)