The Importance of Choice: Empowering People with Learning Disabilities This insightful document by John O’Brien, presented at the Discovering Choice Conference, explores the critical role of choice in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. It highlights how depersonalization, social distance, and limited engagement can negatively impact individuals, leading to segregation and […]
This thought-provoking document, “The Trouble With Person-Centered Planning” by John O’Brien, dives deep into the challenges and transformative potential of person-centered planning. It explores how this approach, when practiced authentically, can awaken a shared sense of purpose, dignity, and interdependence among people. However, the trouble lies in its collision with system rationality—bureaucratic structures […]
This insightful document by John O’Brien dives deep into the challenges and opportunities within person-centred planning, a transformative approach to supporting individuals with disabilities. While widely adopted, the paper highlights the limitations of current practices, such as incoherent policies, rigid funding, and societal perceptions that hinder true inclusion. It emphasizes the need for bold, […]
Discover why John O’Brien and Jack Pearpoint, passionate advocates for inclusion, have chosen not to create digital templates for MAPS and PATH, two person-centered planning tools. In this thoughtful piece, they compare the process of facilitating MAPS and PATH to hosting a meaningful dinner party—emphasizing the importance of personal touch, intentionality, and relational connection. […]
Community Engagement: A Path to Inclusion and Self-Determination This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the critical role of community engagement in empowering people with disabilities and their families to live with dignity, security, and as active contributors to society. It highlights the urgent need for individualized funding, controlled by those directly impacted, […]
“Reflections on in Control – 2: Lessons for National Implementation,” explores the transformative impact of the in Control initiative on UK social care policy. Focused on self-directed support and personal budgets, it highlights how in Control has shaped national policies like “Putting People First,” emphasizing independent living, choice, and control for individuals receiving social […]
“Settling Down: Creating Effective Personal Supports for People Who Rely on the Residential Support Program of Centennial Developmental Services,” dives into the transformative journey of the Residential Support Program (RSP) in Weld County, Colorado. Authored by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien, it explores how RSP shifted from group homes to empowering individuals with […]
This document is a comprehensive guide for planning and designing spaces for human service programs, with a focus on flexibility, accessibility, and normalization. It emphasizes creating environments that meet the needs of people with disabilities while promoting integration into typical community settings. The manual provides practical tools and exercises to help planners define space […]
This document, titled “Disturbing the Force,” summarizes a pivotal meeting held on April 11, 2001, to explore long-term strategies for improving Rhode Island’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) system. It dives into key issues shaping the future of services for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and support staff. The discussion centers on empowering individuals […]