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: availability based on functional need, […]
Discovering Meaning in Direct Support Work: A Guide to Fulfillment This insightful document explores the experiences of direct support workers at Creative Community Living Services (CCLS) in Wisconsin, highlighting the challenges and rewards of assisting people with disabilities. Through candid discussions, workers share how meaningful relationships, personal growth, and a sense of purpose […]
Catherine’s Story is an inspiring tale of transformation and inclusion, presented by Marsha Forest. It highlights the journey of Catherine, a young girl once labeled “mentally handicapped” and confined to a limiting educational environment at Thornhaven School. Her family’s relentless advocacy led to her integration into a regular high school, where she blossomed […]
Personal Assistants – Discover the transformative concept of “Personal Assistance” in this insightful article by Judith Snow, MA. Over the past fifty years, society has recognized that individuals with unique abilities can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities when provided with the right support. Personal assistance is not about being a nurse, […]
This inspiring document, “Themes in Doing Person-Centered Direct Support” by Beth Mount and John O’Brien, dives into the heart of what it means to truly support others in a meaningful, person-centered way. It’s all about building authentic relationships, celebrating individuality, and creating vibrant, inclusive communities. The authors explore themes like nurturing understanding, amplifying […]
Creating the Conditions for a Valued Workforce This document dives into creating better opportunities for valued support workers and improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities (DD). It highlights the importance of collaboration, fair wages, respect, and learning opportunities for direct support workers while emphasizing the need for person-centered services that empower individuals […]
This document from the Louisiana Supported Living Network (2007) is a heartfelt guide to building stronger communities through advocacy, relationships, and inspired support. It emphasizes the power of knowledge and numbers, highlighting how meaningful connections with individuals—especially those often overlooked by society—can drive positive change. By fostering care-filled relationships, reflecting on shared experiences, […]
This document, “Basic Tasks for Service Providers” by John O’Brien, outlines five essential tasks that service providers can adopt to help individuals, particularly those with disabilities, transition from social exclusion or isolation to active contribution in their communities. It emphasizes the importance of fostering meaningful relationships and respecting the dignity and capacity of each […]
This document, “A Checklist for Evaluating Personal Assistance Services (PAS) Policies and Programs,” is a practical guide designed to help individuals and organizations assess the effectiveness of PAS for people with significant disabilities. Authored by Connie Lyle O’Brien and John O’Brien, with input from disability advocates, it emphasizes the importance of PAS in enabling […]
This document, Assistance With Integrity: The Search for Accountability and the Lives of People With Developmental Disabilities by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien, dives deep into the challenges of accountability in services for people with developmental disabilities. It critiques the current system’s reliance on rigid regulations and inspections, arguing that these often fail […]