Diane+Phelan+Module+6

Diane Phelan Module 6

Think back to your earlier study of the history of people with disabilities and the normalization movement. How do self determination, self advocacy and person centered planning relate to this history, and how has it changed lives for people with disabilities?

For many many years, people with disabilities were mistreated, abused and basically ignored. They were separated from the rest of society by being institutionalized. They were separated from the normal population. As time went on, the focus shifted towards normalization. Institutions were exposed for what they were and the lack of connection to society created advocates who started to look at an individual's life. Self advocacy came into the picture and started to focus on one being able to stand up for themselves, speaking out, knowing one's rights and responsibilities and making choices about one's life. The self determination movement evolved as a result of social movements involving self advocacy. Power has now shifted from the system to the individual. This allows people with disabilities to make choices about their life and helps them to control how they want to be supported. In order to be supported in this endeavor one has to begin with a person centered plan. This plan details an individual's dreams, strengths, weaknesses, preferences and supports.The individual chooses professionals, family and friends to voluntarily help assist that person, over time, to achieve a better quality of life.

All these of these terms have forever changed the lives of individuals with disabilities. I think about the videos and articles that I have seen and read in the past few weeks. I realize how lucky my daughter was to be born during the time of cochlear implants. I have had the opportunity to look at some of the "old" hearing devices at the New York League. I know how different her life would have been. Not that it would have been a problem if she could only sign, but she would not have been able to participate on the same playing field as her hearing peers. She would have been limited in terms of what she would be able to learn. She would not have control over what she wanted to do. She would not have been given any choices nor would she have the rights that she has now.

//**From Joe - I agree with your points. Can we imagine what things might be like for our grandchildren's generation in this regard? What other progress might be made? Sometimes fun to speculate on....**//