What does being Self-Directed mean?
Self-direction for a person with a developmental disability means choices and control over their life. Self-determined people who self-direct their services and supports have services and supports that are tailored their services/supports specifically to their unique needs and wants.
Some people with developmental disabilities can clearly express their wishes, while others can become self-directed by having family, friends, and trusted professionals help them.
What Does a Self-Directed Life look like?
OPWDD’s Self-Direction with full budget authority allows an individual to choose how and with whom they want to spend their time. It also allows them to choose the supports and services that best fit their wants and needs.
What are some options and benefits of Self-Direction?
Self-Direction is all about choices. Individuals can live the life they want in the least restrictive environment. They may choose to do activities independently or with any needed assistance. It is Person Centered! Working on a person’s goals for now and the future, assist them to enhance their quality of life and be the best that they can be!
- Having control over daily activities, paid or volunteer work, continuing education, recreation, etc.
- Choosing support:Â family, co-workers, friends, support staff
- Deciding where to live:Â an apartment with or without a roommate, a house with friends, alone or with family, a supported setting
- Being able to set the rhythms of their day:Â what time to eat, when to go to sleep
- Having the right to control the budget:Â being able to choose desired supports that best meet their needs
- Having the supports to build independent living skills and interact with their community
Suprising Sucesses: How Self-Direction Best Serves People Frequently Sidelined as "Being Too Challenging to Self-Direct"
Presented at Applied Self Direction conference early in 2023 watch along as 3 families and Self-Direction advocates speak candidly about the ups and downs and mostly successes of the Self-Directed life for their adult sons and daughters.
We Have Choices: short video Highlighting 8 adults with developmental disabilities speak about their Self-Direction experience.
This 29-minute documentary on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New York state who have used individualized supports in taking greater control of their lives. (2009) Traditionally, funding for people with disabilities has gone directly to agencies that provide support services. Now individuals have the opportunity to control their budgets and choose the services they want and need. In New York, supports are available to help people make the move from living in large group homes to living in their own homes, with one or two housemates. This program includes profiles of eight people who have made this move. Created by The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State https://sanys.org
