Kate+Dooley+Module+6+Self+Advocacy

How are self-advocacy, person centered planning and self-determination connected?

Self-determination is the concept that binds person-centered planning and self-advocacy. Self-determination is the philosophy that every human being has the power to control their lives as best they can, make their own choices and set their own goals. For a person to gain self-determination, they need to self-advocate. All people, with and without disabilities, must learn to self-advocate to achieve self-determination. Everyone stumbles upon roadblocks; they may need further assistance, or need to defend their own rights. Some people have to work harder than others to defend their right for self-determination. Women in the United States had to self-advocate to finally gain the right to vote in 1920 and have the ability to access self-determination and become full citizens in their own country. Persons with disabilities must self-advocate to get their needs met and have the ability to choose how they want to live their own lives.

Person-centered planning is a way to support someone’s access to a self-determined life. All people who have the power to make important choices about the person in the center are looking toward that person. The person in the center has her own dreams and sets her own goals. Each person participating in person-centered planning is held accountable. She must develop services, plans and goals that are aligned with the person in the center’s goals and needs. The person in the center has a chance to self-advocate through the planning process. She is able to say what does and does not work for her. She can make important choices about goals and services. The person in the center will hopefully transfer self-advocacy into her daily lives and multiple environments.



//From Joe: Thanks for this posting and for this graphic. I think it really encapsulates many of the concepts that we've been reviewing over the past few weeks. And a note for everyone; this is a starting look at what your research project and final wiki will look like.//  