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 Using the metaphor of a “crooked map,” it highlights how outdated mental models and rigid service structures can lead organizations astray, despite their […]
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, and inadequate support systems, while […]
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. It challenges traditional service models […]
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 policies and services for individuals […]
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 Reflection. Each activity plays […]
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, urging planners to embrace realism, […]
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 lives. It challenges the […]
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 their core, rather than merely […]
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 services to focus on individual […]
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 lesson learned. Meanwhile, participants […]