Choice Project

People with developmental disabilities and their families want services and supports delivered by a system that allows them choice and control over their own lives. This concept is called self-determination. Self-determination applies to everyone in the community, not just those with developmental disabilities.

Self-determination includes

the freedom to plan a real life;
the individual authority to make their own decisions;
the support they need to live in the community; and,
the responsibility to use available resources wisely.

People with developmental disabilities who speak up for themselves and others are called self-advocates. They can use spoken words, written language, sign language or gesture, language boards or any other way unique to themselves. Self-advocacy enables people with disabilities to live the life they want with the supports they need.

Through the CHOICE Program, self-advocates learn the skills needed to meet personal priorities and goals. The various programs include:

+Person Centered Planning

Person Centered Planning is a process of gathering information about goals and writing down steps for achieving those goals. The unique thing about Person Centered Plans is that they are driven by the dreams and hopes of the self-advocate. Often a person's dreams are dismissed as unrealistic before they are even explored. Dreams tell us a lot about what we need for a satisfying life. Even if the person chooses not to follow their dream exactly, focusing on their dream will help them choose a path that is satisfying to them.

Person Centered Planning relies on a circle of people who are committed to helping the self-advocate follow their dream and to supporting them through the process. A facilitator assists the person in guiding their circle through a process of discovery. This facilitator will document the results of the sessions, writing down the who, what, when and how of the person's desired future.

+Role of the Facilitator

The facilitator does not guide the plan. The self-advocate guides the plan; the facilitator is their assistant. The facilitator remains neutral and helps to keep process focused and flowing. They ask questions of the person making the plan, and aids them in asking questions of the person's support group.

It's common when the self-advocate and their circle feel stuck to ask the facilitator for answers or expertise. The facilitator brings the questions back to the group.

+Why does the person lead the process and not the facilitator?

If the facilitator were to lead the person down a path that the facilitator thinks would work, the self-advocate's chances to discover their own options is limited. When the person comes up with their own direction, it's more natural than anything someone else could propose.
If the facilitator directs the plan, they take away the independent voice of the person, leaving them and their support goup feeling that they must ask "experts" rather than trust their own instincts.

The ultimate goal in Person Centered Planning is for the self-advocate and their group to become an independent planning team.

+Role of Family and Friends

The family and friends of the person are the core members of the planning group as they know the person best. They will bring up issues that might otherwise be left unspoken. They bring passion and vitality to the sessions, giving the whole planning process momentum.

The circle helps the self-advocate identify their desires and needs and the choices they need to make. The plan will often have steps which naturally belong to the circle members themselves. Other steps might require the recruitment of new groups members and the use of community services.

+Role of Traditional Supports

Traditional supports are the organizations, agencies and institutions which are designed to support people with developmental disabilities. There are several aspects to traditional supports that can be valuable to the self-advocate and their support group.

Traditional supports have expertise gained from years of participation and collaboration with people with developmental disabilities. They have witnessed many successes that may help the self-advocate build their own plan. Traditional supports also have many programs already in place to help the person meet their needs without having to reinvent the wheel.

+Role of Natural Supports

Natural supports are a self-advocate's co-workers, neighbors or friends. Everyone receives support in their daily lives that keeps them striving to meet their goals. This support can be encouragement, assistance or flexibility. Natural supports help the self-advocate with daily support to meet their goals.

People enjoy helping others and being relied on, but they also like to know they can rely on the other person as well. In developing natural supports, the self-advocate and their group develop support for the people who support them, too. With the help of their support group the self-advocate identifies their unique strengths and abilities. These abilities help create natural exchanges and supportive relationships that are satisfying to everyone involved.

+Choice

Choice is the foundation of Person Centered Planning. Choice happens at every stage of the process, from the moment the self-advocate choose to work on a Person Centered Plan to their final approval of their plan. The belief that their dream is worth exploring builds trust in their support group and in their own instincts. From trust comes the flexibility to make good choices.

Responsibility comes with choice. As they make choices, the self-advocate takes on the responsibility to act on those choices. If they can trust the support group they've developed over the planning process, they will feel comfortable developing those aspects of themselves that create opportunities.

+Youth Self Advocacy Meetings

The Arc's Youth Self Advocacy group helps young adults with developmental disabilities become strong self-advocates. The group meets monthly at the Dan Godwin Community Center. Visit the YSA page for more information on how you can get involved today!

+Inclusion Training

By exploring ways to be more inclusive, many boards and organizations have identified ways to change how they conduct their meetings, how they design and make their agendas and how they encourage their employees and members with a disability to participate. Inclusion is a dynamic, invigorating and meaningful principle for any group -- one that enhances the rewards of participation for everyone.