Discover the transformative power of letting go in Jack Pearpoint’s insightful article, Learning How to Give Up Control. Jack shares his personal journey of embracing interdependence by relinquishing control in life’s most challenging and exhilarating moments—skydiving, bungy jumping, and even facing his wife Marsha’s battle with ovarian cancer. Through...
Discover the true meaning of partnership in this insightful article by Jack Pearpoint and Marsha Forest. Through their experiences in New Zealand during a pivotal time of cultural tension between the Maori and Pakeha communities, the authors explore the challenges and opportunities of fostering genuine collaboration. They highlight...
Discover how to strengthen your personal and social connections with “Charting Our Circles of Support.” This insightful guide explores the importance of relationships in our lives, especially during challenging times or moments of change. Through a simple yet powerful exercise, you’ll map out the people who support you...
This document is a practical guide to creating a “planning circle” — a supportive group of people to help navigate important life changes. It emphasizes the value of diverse relationships, from close friends and family to acquaintances and service providers, and offers simple steps to identify who belongs in...
Discover the transformative power of support circles in Judith Snow’s insightful article, “Participation Through Support Circles.” This piece explores how society’s focus on disability often overshadows the unique talents and contributions of individuals labeled as disabled. Judith introduces the concept of support circles—dynamic networks that prioritize relationships, dreams,...
This insightful document, Members of Each Other by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien, explores the transformative power of support circles in fostering inclusion and addressing systemic injustices faced by individuals with disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of interdependence, active listening, and shared commitment in creating meaningful connections and...
This training can be applied in real work situations by using the Circles of Support exercise to identify and strengthen relationships that contribute to a supportive and collaborative environment. Here’s how it can be implemented:
...Person-Centered Planning: Embracing the 5 Valued Experiences and Accomplishments with John O’Brien & Connie Lyle O’Brien Meet the creators of the Five Valued Experiences and the Service Accomplishments – John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien. Their lives drive to the heart of person-centered planning—a way of supporting people with disabilities...
This video is a beautiful collection of reflections from our dear friend and mentor, John O’Brien. For over fifty years, John has been a guiding light for those of us who believe that everyone belongs. This selection of John’s perspectives and wisdom was edited from an interview with David Hasbury....
Message: Welcome! In this thoughtful talk, John O’Brien invites us to explore the idea of “the thread” — a simple yet powerful metaphor for connection and meaning in our lives. Starting with the image of twisting natural fibers into a strong thread, John shares three important strands that make up...
In this video, John O’Brien takes us on a journey through the heart of person-centered planning, a powerful approach that started in the early 1980s and continues to inspire change today 00:00:09 At its core, person-centered planning is about breaking through barriers like social exclusion, fear, and rigid rules by truly listening deeply to...
This document explores PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope), a dynamic tool designed to foster action and create common ground, particularly for people with disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding complex problems before rushing to solutions, as hasty actions can overlook critical disagreements and hidden opportunities. PATH...
This document is a practical guide to “Tuning Your PATH,” a process designed to refine and strengthen the goals and current realities outlined in a PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope). It emphasizes the importance of maintaining creative tension between a vividly expressed goal and an honest assessment of...
This document explores the evolution and challenges of person-centered planning (PCP), a transformative approach to supporting individuals with disabilities. Initially developed as a grassroots effort to empower people with disabilities, PCP focuses on identifying their unique capacities, dreams, and support needs to create meaningful, inclusive futures. It emphasizes...
Person-Centered Planning and System Change: A Guide to Inclusive Communities This document explores the transformative power of person-centered planning in creating inclusive communities where individuals with severe disabilities thrive. It highlights the importance of aligning services with TASH values and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons...
This insightful document by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien explores how high-quality services can empower individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) to thrive within their communities. It highlights the risk of well-meaning services unintentionally isolating people with DD by becoming their sole environment, limiting opportunities for mutual contribution and growth....
This insightful document, Values-Based Leadership in Supported Living: Stepping Up to the Promise and Spirit of the Home and Community-Based Waiver, explores the transformative power of person-centered planning in creating inclusive, meaningful lives for individuals with disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of fostering autonomy, social inclusion, and solidarity through...
Transforming Lives Through Person-Centered Planning This chapter by John O’Brien dives into the transformative power of person-centered planning for individuals with severe disabilities. It’s all about creating meaningful change—helping people live independently in their own homes, find integrated employment, and take on valued roles in their communities. ...
This document, written by David Wetherow, offers thoughtful guidance on the process of becoming a sanctioned PATH Trainer. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards and respecting the intellectual property of Inclusion Press, the creators of PATH. David shares his personal experience, highlighting the need for aspiring trainers...
Welcome to Ernie’s Journey, a heartfelt blog that explores life’s meaningful moments through creative writing and personal reflections. Authored by Ernie Pancsofare, this blog serves as a platform to share insights on caregiving, personal growth, and life’s transitions. A key focus is Ernie’s deeply moving experience as the...
This document is a comprehensive guide to understanding and evaluating Personal Assistance Services (PAS) for individuals with significant disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of PAS in enabling people to live independently, contribute to their communities, and lead dignified lives. The guide highlights three essential qualities of effective PAS:...
This heartfelt tribute celebrates the life and legacy of John O’Brien (1946–2025), a visionary leader in person-centered planning and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Written by close collaborators and friends, the article reflects on John’s profound impact on the global inclusion movement. As a philosopher...
The Hard Work of “Nothing Special” explores the transformative journey toward creating inclusive communities that value and empower people with disabilities. Written by John O’Brien, this insightful document emphasizes the need for a shift from traditional systems of congregating and controlling individuals with disabilities to fostering supported living arrangements...
Discover the essential guide to understanding key terms in disability and education with the “Lexicon of Recommended Definitions for Crucial Terms.” This 2008 publication by the Marsha Forest Centre aims to reduce confusion surrounding Special Education and Inclusive Education terminology, ensuring clarity for parents, educators, advocates, and policymakers. ...
This document explores the evolution of education for individuals with disabilities, highlighting the shift from exclusion to inclusion. It begins with a historical overview, detailing centuries of neglect and segregation, followed by the emergence of residential schools and specialized education models. The Special Education Model, developed in the...
This document dives into the complexities of educational terminology used for Canadians with disabilities, focusing on the distinction between Special Education and Inclusive Education. It summarizes findings from the Crucial Terms Questionnaire (CTQ), which was distributed across Canada to educators, parents, advocates, and organizations. The goal? To clarify...
Unlocking Inclusive Education: A Path to Equity and Success This engaging document by Gary Bunch, a seasoned educator and advocate for inclusion, explores the transformative journey toward inclusive education. It challenges outdated segregated models, championing a human rights and social justice approach that welcomes learners of all abilities into...
TOWARD PEERS WITH DISABILITIES – Bu ch This study explores how elementary and secondary students in Canadian schools perceive and interact with peers who have disabilities, comparing attitudes in Special Education model schools versus Inclusive model schools. Through one-on-one interviews with students across various grades, the research highlights key...
This comprehensive report, “Crucial Terms Final Report,” explores key terminology used in Canadian education for learners with disabilities, focusing on the Special Education Model (SEM) and Inclusive Education Model (IEM). Authored by experts from the Marsha Forest Centre, York University, and Université du Québec à Montréal, the study aims to...
This document, presented at the Civic G8 Forum in Moscow, highlights the urgent need for inclusive education to address inequities faced by vulnerable groups worldwide. Authored by the Marsha Forest Centre, it emphasizes the importance of educating all learners together—regardless of disabilities, socio-economic status, cultural background, or other challenges—in...
TOWARD PEERS WITH DISABILITIES – – Gary Bunch A recent study indicates considerable differences in attitudes of students in special education model and inclusive model elementary and secondary schools toward peers with disabilities. Most marked were differences at the secondary level. Findings were based on one on one interviews...
Discover the transformative power of inclusive education in Gary Bunch’s insightful paper, “10 Keys to Successful Inclusion.” Drawing from his experiences in Canada, Bunch explores the challenges and triumphs of integrating learners with disabilities into regular classrooms. While traditional special education models dominate, inclusion is steadily gaining ground,...
Reflecting on Social Roles: A Guide to Personal Freedom & Social Integration This insightful document explores how communities and service systems can better support individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving personal freedom and social integration. It introduces the concept of “social roles”—the meaningful ways people connect, contribute, and...
Thinking about “Not Enough Money” John O’Brien – 22 April, 1999 Those of us who work for inclusion hear a lot about “reality” from those looking for good reasons to discourage us. Many such discouragements involve the scarcity of money to pay for necessary assistance or accommodations. Belief in scarcity...
The Genius of the Principle of Normalization: A Guide to Building Inclusive Communities This insightful document explores the transformative power of the principle of normalization in creating better services and fostering inclusive communities for socially devalued individuals, particularly those with disabilities. Rooted in philosophical pragmatism, the principle emphasizes...
The Transition to Supported Living: A Journey of Change and Opportunity This insightful report evaluates the transformation of Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS) from operating group homes to providing individualized supported living services for people with autism. Conducted in June 1995, the evaluation highlights the agency’s commitment to...
The Transition to Supported Living: A Journey of Change and Opportunity This insightful report evaluates the transformation of Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS) from operating group homes to providing individualized supported living services for people with autism. Conducted in June 1995, the evaluation highlights the agency’s commitment to...
Unlocking the Power of Person-Centred Planning: A Path to Inclusion and Purpose This insightful document explores the transformative potential of person-centred planning in creating meaningful lives for individuals with disabilities. While widely adopted in some regions, such as England, the approach has shown positive but limited outcomes, particularly in...
Walking Toward Freedom: A Family’s Journey to Self-Determination This inspiring document by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien shares the remarkable story of Sheri and her parents, Marge and Earl, as they navigate the challenges of creating a life of self-determination for Sheri, who lives with multiple disabilities. ...
The Politics of Person-Centered Planning: A Guide to Navigating Change and Conflict This insightful document by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien explores the transformative power of person-centered planning in the lives of people with disabilities. It highlights how this approach is deeply rooted in the politics of...
This insightful document by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien explores how high-quality services can empower individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) to thrive within their communities. It highlights the risk of well-meaning services unintentionally isolating people with DD by becoming their sole environment, limiting opportunities for mutual contribution and...
Understanding Supported Living: A Guide to Empowering Lives This document explores the transformative concept of supported living for individuals with developmental disabilities, emphasizing the importance of personalized assistance and autonomy. Supported living is not about controlling or fixing people but about empowering them to lead safe, independent lives in...
Discover the inspiring story of Ray Browning, a trailblazer in Georgia’s disability rights movement, as he transitions from life in a nursing home to living independently in his own apartment. After spending 14 years in institutional care due to severe disabilities, Ray defied societal norms and systemic barriers to reclaim...
Discover how the Pathfinders project is transforming lives by empowering students with developmental disabilities to transition from segregated education to thriving in their communities. This inspiring document highlights the journey of students like Shunelle, Josh, and Cristina, who, with the support of their families, schools, and adult service providers,...
Discovering Potential: A Tale of Two Stories This insightful document, Telling New Stories by John O’Brien and Beth Mount, explores how the narratives we create about individuals with severe disabilities shape their lives and opportunities. Through two contrasting stories about the same man, Mr. Davis, the authors highlight the...
Understanding Supported Living: A Guide to Empowering Individuals with Developmental Disabilities This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the concept of supported living, emphasizing its simplicity and transformative potential for individuals with developmental disabilities. Supported living is about creating personalized, secure, and decent homes for people with disabilities,...
Community Engagement: Building Inclusive Communities Through Individualized Funding and Cultural Change This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the critical role of community engagement in fostering self-determination and individualized funding for people with disabilities. It highlights the challenges faced by individuals and families, including resource scarcity, outdated policies, and...
This document dives into the complexities of long-term care reforms within the Developmental Disabilities (DD) system, offering insights into the assumptions and certainties held by decision-makers. It challenges the status quo, advocating for a deeper examination of these beliefs to foster meaningful reform. Key topics include the concept...
Discovering In Control: A Path to Self-Directed Social Care This insightful document explores the transformative work of the in Control initiative, a groundbreaking approach to self-directed support and individualized funding in the UK’s social care system. Authored by John O’Brien and David Towell, it reflects on the challenges...