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,...
Discover the Power of Person-Centered Planning This insightful booklet, authored by John O’Brien and Herbert Lovett, explores the transformative approach of person-centered planning (PCP) for individuals with disabilities. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, the publication delves into the foundations, practices, and potential of PCP to create...
Discover the transformative power of the “Ethics of Possibility” in this insightful document by John O’Brien. It explores how personal assistants can move beyond mere task-doers or rule-followers to become creative allies who empower individuals with disabilities to lead meaningful lives. Through real-life examples, like Martin’s journey from...
Embracing Ignorance, Error, & Fallibility: Competencies for Leadership of Effective Services This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the transformative power of embracing ignorance, error, and fallibility in creating effective human services. It challenges traditional approaches to service design and governance, emphasizing the importance of personalized support, community integration,...
Cultivating Thinking Hearts: A Guide to Lifesharing and Community Building This insightful document, Cultivating Thinking Hearts, explores the transformative concept of lifesharing—an intentional way of living that fosters deep, meaningful relationships between people with and without developmental disabilities. Authored by Helen Zipperlen and John O’Brien, the book is a...
Navigating the Crooked Map Zone: A Guide to Improving Services for People with Disabilities This insightful document explores the challenges and opportunities in improving services for people with developmental disabilities. Using the metaphor of a “crooked map,” it highlights how outdated mental models and rigid service structures can...
What Can We Count On To Make and Keep People Safe? This insightful document explores how to create effective safeguards for people with developmental disabilities, focusing on building inclusive communities and improving assistance. It highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals with disabilities, such as isolation, lack of power,...
A Tune Beyond Us, Yet Ourselves: Power Sharing Between People With Disabilities and Their Assistants This insightful document dives into the concept of power sharing between individuals with substantial disabilities and their assistants, exploring how collaboration can empower people with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. ...
Understanding Excessive Positivism in Person-Centered Planning Steve Holburn This insightful paper by Steve Holburn and Christine D. Cea explores the concept of excessive positivism within Person-Centered Planning (PCP), a progressive approach designed to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. While positivity is a cornerstone of PCP—encouraging...
This insightful document, My House is Covered with Papers! Reflections on a Generation of Active Citizenship, explores the transformative journey of five Wisconsin mothers advocating for their children with developmental disabilities. Through personal stories, it highlights their challenges, triumphs, and the critical role of civic activism in shaping...
Renewing Organizations Through Person-Centered Planning: A Quick Overview This insightful document by John O’Brien and Beth Mount explores how human service organizations can transform through person-centered planning. It introduces a five-part framework for fostering meaningful change: Personal Futures Planning, Interactive Problem Solving, Strategic Redesign, Systematic Evaluation, and Structured...
Planning With Open Eyes and Open Hearts: Rethinking Person-Centered Planning This insightful document by John O’Brien challenges the concept of “excessive positivism” in person-centered planning, offering a fresh perspective on how to approach planning with authenticity and depth. It explores the pitfalls of inflated optimism, self-deception, and superficial planning,...
Paying Customers Are Not Enough: The Dynamics of Individualized Funding explores the transformative potential of individualized funding for people with developmental disabilities. Written by John O’Brien, this insightful paper highlights how shifting from traditional service systems to individualized funding empowers individuals and their families to take control of their...
Up-Rooting Institutions: A Call for Community Inclusion This insightful document explores the deep-rooted challenges of institutionalization for people with disabilities and advocates for a shift toward community-based living and support systems. Drawing inspiration from Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy, author John O’Brien emphasizes the need to address institutional issues at...
1 The Contribution of Person-Centred Planning to Individualising Supports & Creating More Inclusive Communities John O’Brien his insightful document by John O’Brien explores the transformative power of person-centered planning in creating inclusive communities and empowering individuals with disabilities to lead lives of choice. It emphasizes the importance of reorienting...
Discover the dynamic “Speak Easy” activity, a fast-paced and engaging way to share Speak Easy ideas , spark connections, and energize groups. This interactive format features ten presenters stationed around a room, each delivering a concise, five-minute talk on topics they’re passionate about—whether it’s a project, tool, idea, or...
This insightful document by John O’Brien dives into the heart of person-centered planning, exploring its core principles and key concepts. At its essence, person-centered planning is about fostering meaningful relationships and listening deeply to help individuals live fulfilling lives of belonging and contribution within their communities. It emphasizes...
The Origins of Person-Centered Planning: A Journey of Inclusion and Innovation This insightful document explores the history and evolution of person-centered planning (PCP), a transformative approach to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. It highlights the emergence of PCP as a family of methods designed to empower individuals by...
This document dives into the art of person-centered planning for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), offering a fresh perspective on designing supports that truly fit their unique lives. It introduces seven “How might we…?” lenses—creative questions that spark imagination and help uncover opportunities for inclusion, autonomy,...
Perspectives on “Most Integrated” Services for People with Developmental Disabilities by John O’Brien, explores the concept of “most integrated” services, emphasizing the importance of enabling individuals with developmental disabilities to interact with non-disabled people to the fullest extent possible. It highlights the challenges and opportunities in fostering social integration,...
O’Broem discusses the varying ap Exploring the Dimensions of Person-Centered Planning In Mapping the Person-Centered Planning Space, John O’Brien invites readers to explore the evolving world of person-centered planning—a transformative approach to supporting individuals, especially those with disabilities, in living meaningful, inclusive lives. With a relaxed and thoughtful tone,...
Discovering the Heart of DAFRS: Stories, Families, and Social Inclusion This insightful document explores the unique identity and mission of the Durham Association for Family Respite Services (DAFRS) amidst evolving challenges in Ontario’s developmental disabilities service system. It highlights DAFRS’ commitment to supporting families in creating meaningful lives...
This document, “TSI 2018” by Beth Mount and John O’Brien, dives into the transformative practice of Social Presencing Theater (SPT) and its 4D Mapping methodology. It explores how SPT helps groups and organizations visualize their current realities and uncover pathways to a more connected, innovative future. Rooted in mindfulness...
“Finding Our Way” is a thoughtful and interactive workbook designed to help individuals navigate life transitions and discover their path forward. Created by John O’Brien, Connie Lyle O’Brien, and Beth Mount, this resource encourages self-reflection, connection, and personal growth. It’s perfect for anyone facing change, whether it’s a new chapter...
“Finding Our Way” is a thoughtful and interactive workbook designed to help individuals navigate life transitions and discover their path forward. Created by John O’Brien, Connie Lyle O’Brien, and Beth Mount, this resource encourages self-reflection, connection, and personal growth. It’s perfect for anyone facing change, whether it’s a...
The Ethics of Person-Centered Planning This insightful document by John O’Brien dives into the ethics of person-centered work, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individuals as social beings who thrive through connection and contribution to their communities. Drawing inspiration from Desmond Tutu’s concept of Ubuntu—”I am because we are”—and Nelson...
Essential Service Accomplishments – O’Brien This insightful document explores how to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities through five essential service accomplishments: Community Presence, Making Choices, Developing Competence, Improving Status, and Developing Relationships. It highlights the current challenges faced by people with disabilities, such as isolation, limited opportunities...
Creating Inclusive Communities Through Person-Centered Planning This engaging document by John O’Brien explores how person-centered planning can drive meaningful system change to support individuals with severe disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of aligning efforts with TASH values and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,...
Wisconsin’s Money Follows the Person Grant: A Path to Inclusive Living This document dives into Wisconsin’s transformative “Money Follows the Person” (MFP) Grant, focusing on reshaping services for individuals with developmental disabilities. It highlights the state’s efforts to transition people from Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs-MR) to community-based settings...
O’Brien.1984.pdf This insightful document explores the transformative approach of “Improving Service Quality,” a method designed to implement the principle of normalization for individuals with developmental disabilities. Authored by Jennifer Ondrejka and adapted from the Blackstone Valley Residential Staff Training Manual, it highlights the Five Service Accomplishments: Community Presence, Making...
What’s Worth Working For? Leadership for Better Quality Human Services This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the essence of leadership in creating better human services and inclusive communities. It emphasizes that quality begins with leadership and the ability to adapt to shifting policy environments. Through Pablo...
What’s Worth Working For? Leadership for Better Quality Human Services explores how human services can empower individuals with severe disabilities to lead fulfilling lives within inclusive communities. Through the story of Brian, a young man with a disability who thrives in his first job, the document highlights the...
A Journey to a Meaningful Life, Disability and All This is the remarkable story about the life journey of Paul and Lucinda Hage. Paul was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis, and thus a surprise life journey began. This book portrays a much happier outcome than everyone predicted. It is a no...
Discover how PlayFair Teams fosters equity, inclusion, and meaningful friendships between students with and without disabilities. This document contrasts the PlayFair Teams approach with the Best Buddies program, highlighting the limitations of the giver-receiver model in traditional friendship strategies. PlayFair Teams emphasize equality, allowing all members—regardless of ability—to...
Discover the transformative power of PlayFair Teams, a groundbreaking initiative by the Marsha Forest Centre in Toronto. This program fosters student leadership and equity by addressing Disability, Social Justice, and Inclusion—not as a special education program, but as an all-student effort. PlayFair Teams challenge the traditional giver-receiver dynamic,...
This insightful document explores the transformative power of inclusive education in fostering a sense of belonging for all students, especially those experiencing disabilities. It highlights how loneliness and isolation, often faced by individuals with disabilities, stem from societal and educational barriers that segregate rather than integrate. Drawing on...
This heartfelt tribute, written by Adam Bunch, celebrates the life and legacy of his father, Gary Bunch (1938–2024), a pioneer in inclusive education. Born during the Great Depression in Toronto, Gary’s early life was shaped by hardship, mischief, and resilience. From a high school dropout to earning a doctorate,...
This document is a practical guide to adapting curriculum for inclusive education, emphasizing the importance of tailoring teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of all students. It outlines a step-by-step process for educators, starting with setting educational goals and collaborating with colleagues and parents, to making adjustments in...
Two Poets, Two Lives, Two Styles: A Journey of Inclusion and Humanity Dive into the heartfelt world of Two Poets, Two Lives, Two Styles by Gary Bunch and Marsha Forest, a poetic tapestry celebrating inclusion, resilience, and the human spirit. This unique collection captures the contrasting yet harmonious voices...
“Discover practical strategies for creating inclusive classrooms where all students thrive! This guide explores setting a positive class tone, embracing diversity, adapting teaching to individual learning styles, and fostering teacher collaboration. Perfect for educators seeking to build equitable, supportive learning environments.”
...This insightful document explores the transformative journey toward Inclusive Education for students with disabilities, emphasizing the shift from traditional Special Education models to inclusive classrooms where all students learn together. Rooted in human rights and social justice, the author highlights the global influence of UNESCO’s Salamanca Statement and the...
Discover how PlayFair Teams are transforming schools into inclusive, equitable communities in this insightful presentation by Gary Bunch and Rimaal-Salah. Delivered at the 2011 National Congress on Rural Education in Canada, the document explores the challenges of disability inclusion in schools and introduces PlayFair Teams—a groundbreaking student leadership initiative....
This document, submitted by the Integration Action Group in 1986, advocates for transformative changes to Ontario’s Education Act to align it with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It highlights the need for inclusive education, urging the repeal of Section 72, which mandates segregated classes for students labeled...
Looking to create a classroom where every student feels valued and included? This insightful document dives into effective teaching practices for inclusive classrooms, offering practical tips to help educators support all learners, including those with disabilities. It highlights the importance of setting a positive class tone, where equality...
This insightful document explores the concept of belonging for students with disabilities within school communities, focusing on the Canadian education system. Historically, students with disabilities have faced segregation and isolation, often placed in Special Education settings that hinder their sense of inclusion. The shift toward Inclusive Education aims...
This document highlights the 2017 Novosibirsk Scientific School presentation on Inclusive Education, offering a deep dive into its history, global evolution, and implementation in Canada and Russia. It traces the origins of Inclusive Education, starting with Jim Hanson’s “Each Belongs” philosophy in Canada, which emphasized dignity, equal value, and...
This insightful document explores the concept of belonging for students with disabilities within school communities, focusing on Canada’s education system. Historically, students with disabilities have faced exclusion and segregation, often placed in special education settings that limit their sense of community. However, the shift toward Inclusive Education is...
This comprehensive report, titled “Research Into Inclusive Education in Canada,” explores the state of inclusive education for persons with disabilities across Canada. It highlights the divide between the traditional special education model and the emerging inclusive education model, which advocates for educating students with disabilities alongside their peers in regular...
This document explores the principle of normalization as a transformative approach to improving services for socially devalued people, particularly those with disabilities. It emphasizes learning-through-action, urging practitioners to use socially valued means to promote socially valued lives. The principle is framed by the conditional phrase “as much as...