ImagineImagine

What if your money was always kept in an envelope where you What if your money was always kept in an envelope where you couldn't get it?couldn't get it?

What if your only chance to be with people different from you What if your only chance to be with people different from you was with your own family?was with your own family?What if you never got to make a decision?What if you never got to make a decision?What if you couldn't go outside because the last time you went What if you couldn't go outside because the last time you went

it rained?it rained?What if you never got to make a mistake?What if you never got to make a mistake?What if you took the wrong bus once and now you can't take What if you took the wrong bus once and now you can't take

another one?another one?What if you had to wear your winter coat when it rained because What if you had to wear your winter coat when it rained because

it was all you had?it was all you had?What if you had no privacy?What if you had no privacy?What if you could do part of the grocery shopping but weren't What if you could do part of the grocery shopping but weren't

allowed because you couldn't do all of the shopping?allowed because you couldn't do all of the shopping?What if you spent three hours every day just waiting?What if you spent three hours every day just waiting?What if you never got a chance?What if you never got a chance?

From Linda Stengle's book, "Laying Community FoundationsFrom Linda Stengle's book, "Laying Community Foundations for Your Child with a Disability."for Your Child with a Disability."

“She has everything she needs at the nursing home. What more could she want?”

“It’s not safe.”

“I know what’s best for my child.”

“NOTE: child is 52 years old”

“I’ll always take care of/protect you.”

“He can’t work. He is on SSI.”

“It’s in her best interest.”

Life HappensLife Happens

Free men and women take risksFree men and women take risks

Freedom implies the possibility of riskFreedom implies the possibility of risk

With every risk, there is hope of successWith every risk, there is hope of success

The possibility of success outweighs the The possibility of success outweighs the fear of failure in a system of supports that fear of failure in a system of supports that truly valuestruly values every person every person

Managing Risk/Supports Managing Risk/Supports

Give people permission to tryGive people permission to tryAccess the true cost of failureAccess the true cost of failureMinimize through dialogueMinimize through dialoguePlan for “what if” situationsPlan for “what if” situationsGive people the opportunity to learn from Give people the opportunity to learn from mistakes.mistakes.

Support the person…when risk increases, so Support the person…when risk increases, so does the need for support.does the need for support.

The Council on Quality and LeadershipThe Council on Quality and Leadership

Challenges are what make Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life them is what makes life meaningful.meaningful. Joshua J. MarineJoshua J. Marine

Simple steps you Simple steps you can take.can take.

- Consumer Control/ Self determination- Choice- Peer Relationships- Equal Opportunity and Equal Access both individually and systemically- Protection against discrimination- Individual and Systemic - Cross Disability-Advocacy – Self and Systemic-Equal Partnerships

Promote

Consumer ControlConsumer Control

Gives consumers the opportunity to:

- Be aware of choices - Be well informed before committing to goals - Self-reflection- Embrace their strengths/build off weaknesses- Develop achievable objectives to reach varied goals - Be aware of barriers and identify accommodations- Voice opinions & take action- To take risks

Respect and DignityRespect and Dignity

Show consideration forShow consideration for

ValueValue

EsteemEsteem

Defer toDefer to

RecognizeRecognize

PridePride

ListenListen

Pay attentionPay attention

Non-Non-judgmentaljudgmental

PatiencePatience

Equal PartnersEqual Partners

AcceptanceAcceptance

RespectRespect

Level the playing fieldLevel the playing field

Responsible for actionsResponsible for actions

Position of strengthPosition of strength

Personal responsibilityPersonal responsibility

LanguageLanguage

Person FirstPerson First

RespectfulRespectful

AcceptingAccepting

UnderstandableUnderstandable

Bottom Line: AttitudeBottom Line: Attitude

* Preconceived notions* Preconceived notions

*Accommodations vs/ *Accommodations vs/

“ “taking advantage oftaking advantage of

* Victimization* Victimization

* Balance of power* Balance of power

* Rescuing* Rescuing

* Open mind* Open mind

* Welcoming* Welcoming