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. Authored by Connie Lyle O’Brien, John O’Brien, and others, it highlights decades of civic activism that reshaped policies, services, and societal attitudes […]
This document explores the evolution, challenges, and future of Citizen Advocacy (CA) as a vital social movement aimed at fostering authentic relationships and advocating for people with developmental disabilities (DD). It reflects on the promise of CA since its inception in 1972, addressing the question, “Who will be there for our child when we […]
This document, Walking Out, Walking On, explores the transformative journey of advocating for social inclusion and person-centered support systems. It challenges traditional, mechanistic approaches to disability services, emphasizing the need to move beyond rigid systems and embrace innovative, community-driven solutions. Through personal stories, reflections, and practical insights, it highlights the mismatch between bureaucratic structures […]
This insightful document, Surviving Cogworld? Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities in a Mechanistic System by John O’Brien, explores the challenges of balancing relationships and transactions in systems designed to support people with developmental disabilities. It critiques the growing mechanization of care, dubbed “Cogworld,” where assistance is treated as a series of tasks rather than […]
This document dives into the transformative potential of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule, exploring how it can reshape the lives of individuals relying on long-term support. Written by John O’Brien, it highlights the Rule’s purpose: ensuring Medicaid-funded services promote community integration, employment opportunities, personal choice, and equal access to resources. […]
This fieldbook, Cultivating Capacity: A Fieldbook for Strengthening Person-Centered Practices, is a practical guide designed to help organizations and individuals improve their ability to offer person-centered support for people relying on long-term care. Rooted in Theory U principles from The Presencing Institute, it emphasizes transformative leadership, deep listening, and social innovation to create meaningful […]
This insightful document, “Noticing That We’re Upside Down” by John O’Brien, explores how person-centered planning can transform the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). It emphasizes designing supports tailored to individual interests, capacities, and challenges, rather than relying on rigid, predetermined programs. Using seven guiding “How might we…?” lenses—community, relationships, […]
John O’Brien This document Numbers and Faces: The Ethics of Person Centered Planning dives deep into the ethics and challenges of person-centered planning, a process designed to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live meaningful, self-determined lives. It explores the tension between the values services claim to uphold—like inclusion and individualization—and their actual capacity […]
This document celebrates the life and groundbreaking work of Wolf Wolfensberger, a visionary leader in the field of developmental disabilities. For over 50 years, Wolfensberger championed the rights and dignity of people with intellectual disabilities, reshaping societal perceptions and service systems. He introduced transformative concepts like normalization and social role valorization, which emphasize […]
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 […]