Common Vision for Real Transformation
Citizenship
Self-determination
Inclusion and community engagement
Individual and family empowerment
Everybody has the right to self-determination - everyone is included.
Self-determination is a process of people determining their own needs and interests (I decide... I choose... Others get behind me... I am heard when I am speaking up...). It means individuals choose and decide (with support as needed) about their life choices and the type and quality of support they want. We have learned a great deal about self-determination in recent years. We know that all human beings seek their own path and that when we listen deeply, we can enable individuals with the most significant disabilities to express their desires. Strong relationships help facilitate self-determination, which is why support networks are so important in any new approaches. As Raymond Kilroy said:
"We are moving from programming me and other people with disabilities toward empowering us and our families to acquire the support we want. We are moving away from focusing on my deficits to focusing on my competence."