Philosophy & Values Self-Determination 1-8-13 PHILOSOPHY & VALUES SELF DETERMINATION Self-Determination Being self-determined involves choosing and setting goals, being involved in making life decisions, self-advocating, and working to reach goals. Self-determination refers to a characteristic of a person that leads them to make choices and decisions based on their own preferences and interests, to monitor and regulate their own actions, and to be goal-oriented and self-directing. A person acting in a self-determined way has a voice in the decisions that affect them and is causing things to happen in his or her own life. A frequent misinterpretation of self-determination is that it it simply means “doing yourself.” For people who may have significant disabilities, this can be problematic. The ability to perform specific behaviors is secondary in importance to being the causal agent. So while a person may not be able to solve a difficult life problem without support, with appropriate support that person is enabled to act as a causal agent in the decision-making process and therefore is more The more supports (e.g. friendships and community connections) that are available to people with DD, the more likely it is that they will have the necessary resources to cause things to happen in their lives. One way to be self-determined is through self-advocacy activities. Advocating for oneself is an excellent demonstration of self-determined action. DD Act Self-Determined Actions Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (the DD Act) was created to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of, and have access to, needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, through culturally competent programs authorized under the law. The DD Act ensures that an individual, with assistance: has the ability and opportunity to make choices and decisions; has the ability and opportunity to exercise control over services, supports, and other assistance; has the authority to control resources and obtain needed services; has the opportunity to participate in and contribute to their communities; has the support, including financial, to advocate, develop leadership skills, become trained as a self-advocate, and participate in coalitions and policy-making.
Philosophy & Values Self-Determination 1-8-13 PHILOSOPHY & VALUES SELF DETERMINATION Self-Determination Being self-determined involves choosing and setting goals, being involved in making life decisions, self-advocating, and working to reach goals. Self-determination refers to a characteristic of a person that leads them to make choices and decisions based on their own preferences and interests, to monitor and regulate their own actions, and to be goal-oriented and self-directing. A person acting in a self-determined way has a voice in the decisions that affect them and is causing things to happen in his or her own life. A frequent misinterpretation of self-determination is that it simply means “doing it yourself.” For people who may have significant disabilities, this can be problematic. The ability to perform specific behaviors is secondary in importance to being the causal agent. So while a person may not be able to solve a difficult life problem without support, with appropriate support that person is enabled to act as a causal agent in the decision-making process and therefore is more The more supports (e.g. friendships and community connections) that are available to people with DD, the more likely it is that they will have the necessary resources to cause things to happen in their lives. One way to be self-determined is through self-advocacy activities. Advocating for oneself is an excellent demonstration of self-determined action. DD Act Self-Determined Actions Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (the DD Act) was created to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of, and have access to, needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, through culturally competent programs authorized under the law. The DD Act ensures that an individual, with assistance: has the ability and opportunity to make choices and decisions; has the ability and opportunity to exercise control over services, supports, and other assistance; has the authority to control resources and obtain needed services; has the opportunity to participate in and contribute to their communities; has the support, including financial, to advocate, develop leadership skills, become trained as a self-advocate, and participate in coalitions and policy-making.
a4-self-determination.docx