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, […]
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 of money also justifies dominating […]
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 empowering individuals with autism 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 fostering employment opportunities and inclusive […]
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 homes of their choosing. […]
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 profound impact of storytelling on […]
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, tailored to their unique needs, […]
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 lead organizations astray, despite their […]
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 that are less restrictive and […]
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 holds barred account of how […]