The Ethics of Person-Centered Planning This insightful document by John O’Brien dives into the ethics of person-centered work, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individuals as social beings who thrive through connection and contribution to their communities. Drawing inspiration from Desmond Tutu’s concept of Ubuntu—”I am because we are”—and Nelson Mandela’s perspective on self-improvement for […]
Essential Service Accomplishments – O’Brien This insightful document explores how to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities through five essential service accomplishments: Community Presence, Making Choices, Developing Competence, Improving Status, and Developing Relationships. It highlights the current challenges faced by people with disabilities, such as isolation, limited opportunities for decision-making, and societal misconceptions, […]
Creating Inclusive Communities Through Person-Centered Planning This engaging document by John O’Brien explores how person-centered planning can drive meaningful system change to support individuals with severe disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of aligning efforts with TASH values and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, advocating for inclusive living and […]
O’Brien.1984.pdf This insightful document explores the transformative approach of “Improving Service Quality,” a method designed to implement the principle of normalization for individuals with developmental disabilities. Authored by Jennifer Ondrejka and adapted from the Blackstone Valley Residential Staff Training Manual, it highlights the Five Service Accomplishments: Community Presence, Making Choices, Developing Competence, Improving Status, […]
What’s Worth Working For? Leadership for Better Quality Human Services This insightful document by John O’Brien explores the essence of leadership in creating better human services and inclusive communities. It emphasizes that quality begins with leadership and the ability to adapt to shifting policy environments. Through Pablo Neruda’s reflective question, “Whom can […]
What’s Worth Working For? Leadership for Better Quality Human Services explores how human services can empower individuals with severe disabilities to lead fulfilling lives within inclusive communities. Through the story of Brian, a young man with a disability who thrives in his first job, the document highlights the transformative impact of responsive services […]
This document explores the principle of normalization as a transformative approach to improving services for socially devalued people, particularly those with disabilities. It emphasizes learning-through-action, urging practitioners to use socially valued means to promote socially valued lives. The principle is framed by the conditional phrase “as much as possible,” encouraging continuous reflection and […]
This document captures the essence of the 1993 Diversity & Inclusion Gathering held in Toronto, a groundbreaking event focused on fostering inclusion and diversity in education and community. Using the innovative “Learning Marketplace” format, participants co-created the agenda, exploring the central question: “How do we make education and community for ALL a reality?” The […]
Welcome to Explorations in Inclusion, a dynamic collection of ideas, stories, and strategies from the 1993 McGill Summer Institute on Integrated Education and Community. This document is a heartfelt guide to creating inclusive spaces where everyone—regardless of ability—can thrive. With contributions from 80 passionate participants worldwide, it covers everything from practical tools for inclusive classrooms […]
5 Valued Experiences & the 5 Accomplishments – John O’Brien & Connie Lyle O’Brien 12,064 views Apr 4, 2019John O’Brien and Connie Lyle-O’Brien have spent a lifetime moving our thinking about how people with developmental disabilities can be supported, shifting from institution and program centered life, to the person centered life of citizens contributing to the communities […]