| Principle |
Individuals with Disabilities |
Families |
System |
People have
the freedom to plan their own life and to pursue the things that are important to them
with the support of independent planning and support coordination
|
I have the freedom to plan my
life and do the things important to me. I can get help from people who are not MRDD or
paid workers to make my plan work. |
We can receive unbiased
assistance of our own choosing when we develop a plan for our child with a disability |
Unbiased, competent and
independent support coordination of an individual’s or family’s choice is always
available for both planning purposes and for assistance with ongoing monitoring,
evaluation and implementation. |
People have
the freedom to experience the same life opportunities as other people their age, connected
with others in their communities.
|
I have the freedom to have life
experiences the same as everyone else, and be a part of my community. |
We can choose those opportunities
typical for all children with the assistance of resources from the system |
Individuals with disabilities and
families are encouraged and supported to seek personal and community connections that are
age appropriate with the support of our resources. There is no fixed menu. |
| Each person
has authority over his own individual support budget. |
I have the freedom to use my
individual budget to help me get the things that I need. I know everything about my
budget, and I decide how it is spent. |
We have the freedom to control a
targeted amount of resources and to exercise creativity in purchasing supports. |
Once a fair and equitable amount
of resources is identified individuals and families can exercise freedom and creativity in
making support purchases that assist the person with a disability to lead a meaningful
life. |
All those
involved demonstrate confirmation of the critical role people with disabilities and their
families must play in making decisions in their own lives and in designing and operating
the system they rely on
|
Everyone understands and shows
that self-advocates and their families are the most important decision-makers when: 1. I
make plans for my own future; and
2. Decide about how the service system will operate. |
We have the authority to
implement responsible planning choices for loved ones who are minors and are an integral
part of all rule making and system changes. Our adult children are listened to objectively
and considered as "adults" by the human service system. |
We encourage and support both
responsible individual and family control over resources and enter into equal partnerships
with both in all system re-design issues. |
| People have
the freedom to choose and set up the support they need to pursue the life they envision |
I have the freedom to choose the
people I want to help me reach my goals. |
We have the authority to select
all personnel and supports to further the life goals of our loved ones. |
We delegate the authority for
selecting both personnel and supports to individuals with disabilities and families. |
| People enjoy
the freedom of economic independence and security, with opportunities to earn adequate
income. |
I have the freedom to work and
make enough money so I can support myself and have a better life. |
We are encouraged and supported
to assist our loved ones in planning an economic future through real work at minimum wage
or above and/or microenterprise development (very tiny businesses). We are supported in
planning these goals while our children are minors. Our targeted amount of resources can
be used at various stages to assist in developing these opportunities. |
We establish policies together
with individuals and families that both encourage economic futures and provide resources
to make this a reality. |
| People take
responsibility for decisions in their lives and for the support money allocated to them
with the assistance of an independent fiscal intermediary |
I take responsibility for
decisions I make and for how I spend my individual budget, with help from someone I
choose. |
We exercise great responsibility
for the wise use of public dollars and receive the assistance of an independent fiscal
agent. |
We provide for the establishment
of fiscal intermediaries and jointly with individuals with disabilities and families
establish guidelines and principles for the wise and cost-effective use of public dollars. |
