Exciting
Distance Education Website on Self-Determination
The Partners in Living self-study course created by the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities can be really helpful and useful for people with disabilities, their family and friends who wish to understand and explore self-determination.
Self-Directed Services Program
The Department of Developmentat Services (DDS)
has learned a great deal from the five pilot, Self-Determination projects.
DDS is taking Self-Determination to the next level and has developed the Self-Directed
Services Program which they hope to start in the spring of 2008. This voluntary
program would open up self-determination to all the regional centers. Consumers
would be eligible for the program if they don't live in group homes or go
to congregate day programs. Services would be individualized to consumer's
unique needs. Budget amounts would be based on either
- 90 percent of the average of the cost of the consumer for the previous two years
- 90 percent of the cost of two previous years of statewide av-erage of consumers with similar profiles.
For more information on the Self-Directed Service Program, go to the DDS website at www.dds.ca.gov.
Self-Advocate Room
The San Diego Regional Center's San Marcos Office offers a meeting room for Self-Advocates. The room has a library of books and videos on self-advocacy, person-centered planning, employment and independent living. The room is equipped with a TV and two computers with internet access. Self-advocate groups can use this room to host their meetings. The layout and furniture in the room has been designed with accessibility in mind. The purpose of this room is to assist individuals with developmental disabilities speak up for themselves and take charge of their lives. It is helpful if people call ahead of time to access the Room. The Self-Advocate Room is located at:
San Diego Regional Center
1370 W. San Marcos Blvd., Ste 100
San Marcos, CA 92078
For more information on the Self-Advocate Room or to schedule its use contact Jamie Michalskie at:
(760) 736-1200.
Articles on Self-Determination
Self-Determination challenges us to expand our thinking. Tom Nerney from the Center for Self-Determination is a leading advocate in the field of promoting and implementing self-determination for individuals with developmental disabilities. In Lost Lives: Why we Need a New A New Approach, Nerney calls for re-thinking quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities both in terms of how it is defined and how it is measured. He writes that individuals with a disability or a chronic illnesses have the same right to expect the opportunity to pursue the quality of life as others who do not have disabilities.
Self-Determination Videos
Four video tapes have been produced through the Self-determination Project:
- My Life...My Way
- Kids and Community - Connect for the Future
- Successful Communities - Everyone Valued
- Chris' Story
The My Life... My Way video showcases consumers and families and their experience with Self-Determination. They share the ways in which Self-Determination has brought meaningful change into their lives. Kids and Community and Successful Communities explore how children and adults can be included in communities through a variety of activities from recreation to the work place. Chris' Story describes the process of an adult moving from the state developmental center to the community through his Self-Determination Plan. These four videos are available for check out or purchase through our Community Affairs Department at
(858) 576-2966.
Project Update
The Project continues to make progress. Three new consumers are to be invited to join the project. Their names were drawn at random, to replace one consumer who passed away and two consumers who declined to participate. The fiscal intermediary has become the “employer of record” for several consumers who have hired their own staff. This is an expanded role and has allowed consumers and their families to locate specialized music teachers as well as community support staff to meet the individual needs of consumers in the project.
Conferences
Conferences provide opportunities to better equip professionals, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Topics range from changes in law, regulation and funding, to identifying more positive and creative planning strategies and accessing more appropriate solutions. This site will provide information on upcoming Self-determination Conferences.
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This San Diego - Imperial Counties Self-Determination Project
is sponsored by
the San Diego Regional Center and Area Board XIII.
Information Hotline: (858) 503-4409
