This document, Conversations about Inclusive & Sustainable Communities, explores six practical methods to foster creative engagement between citizens and local governments. Authored by John O’Brien and David Towell, it emphasizes the importance of partnerships and conversations in addressing three global challenges: climate change, sustainable economies, and social inclusion. The practices outlined—such as “How […]
Discover Real Communities: Building Inclusive, Thriving Communities Together This document introduces the inspiring vision of Real Communities, a movement dedicated to empowering people with developmental disabilities to actively contribute to their local communities. It highlights the privilege of citizenship and the importance of collective action in creating stronger, more inclusive communities. Real […]
Discover the inspiring story of The Little Green Wagon, a creative initiative at the Forsyth Farmers’ Market that invites children and young people to connect with nature and the local food system. Designed by Mixed Greens—a partnership between the Forsyth Farmers’ Market and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities—this hands-on project encourages kids to […]
Discover how the Community Participation Initiative is transforming inclusion for people with developmental disabilities in Kalamazoo. This insightful blog post shares lessons learned by Connie Lyle O’Brien and her team during their visit, highlighting the power of community partnerships in creating meaningful opportunities for over 200 individuals. By collaborating with organizations like the […]
Discover how simple, everyday actions can strengthen communities in this insightful guide, Actions That Build Community. Authored by John O’Brien, this document highlights the importance of connecting with others, building trust, and getting involved to foster social capital—networks of relationships that empower individuals and groups. It features a curated list of 75 practical […]
How Do We Know Our Community? by John O’Brien and Beth Mount explores how understanding our community shapes our ability to support individuals at risk of marginalization. The document introduces a framework that views people with developmental disabilities (DD), their allies, and partners as a connected network, working together to sense opportunities and […]
Conversations about Building Sustainable & Inclusive Communities This document, Conversations About Building Sustainable & Inclusive Communities by John O’Brien and David Towell, explores practical ways to create resilient, inclusive communities that value the contributions of disabled and older citizens. It highlights the importance of citizen engagement, co-production, and local innovation in addressing global challenges […]
Action Options for Better Life Chances This insightful document explores actionable strategies to improve life chances for people with developmental disabilities by focusing on two key approaches: enhancing assistance systems and fostering community-building efforts. It emphasizes the importance of personalized support, self-directed options, income maximization, and access to mainstream resources to create a better […]
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 […]
Building the Foundations for Good Support: Navigating Change in Human Services This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the challenges and opportunities in transforming human services to better align with values of inclusion, self-direction, and justice. It highlights the tension between current realities and aspirational visions, offering three approaches to address this: withdrawing, shrinking […]