communities of practice
Over the last 40 years there has been progress and change. All over the world we can point to people with disabilities who live a life that looks "ordinary", just like the rest of us -- they have jobs, home, friends, family, lovers, mates, and children. They make decisions, and have the resources to make things happen. They struggle and celebrate just like everyone else. Sometimes, we can discover "extra-ordinary" supports that make life work in such an ordinary way. But these lives are not so common. They can be found in small pockets all over the world.
It is far more common to discover that people with disabilities are more likely to be poor, unemployed, underemployed, or paid wages below accepted standards.; they are more likely to have fewer choices over their lives -- where they live, who they live with, where they go, when they go, etc.; and they are more likely to be isolated or disconnected from people they could call friends, or family.
We have been engaged in facilitating change processes by gathering people TOGETHER, focusing on WHAT IS IMPORTANT, figure out what we CAN DO about what is important...coming back together to LEARN from what we do, and PLANNING what is next.
It is far more common to discover that people with disabilities are more likely to be poor, unemployed, underemployed, or paid wages below accepted standards.; they are more likely to have fewer choices over their lives -- where they live, who they live with, where they go, when they go, etc.; and they are more likely to be isolated or disconnected from people they could call friends, or family.
We have been engaged in facilitating change processes by gathering people TOGETHER, focusing on WHAT IS IMPORTANT, figure out what we CAN DO about what is important...coming back together to LEARN from what we do, and PLANNING what is next.
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Association Promoting Inclusion (API) - CroatiaDr. Borka Teodorovic is a passionate, intelligent, and wise leader in Zagreb, Croatia. In 1998 she established the Association for Promoting Inclusion (Inkluzija), one of the first community based services that would welcome people who were to be liberated from life in institutions in Croatia. Over the last 15 years, API has become a leader in the region in supporting organizations to develop person centered approaches to living and connecting people to the communities where they live.
We have been fortunate to support their effort to spread the practices of Person Centered Planning throughout the region. More soon ... |
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Active Community Care Transition - CRA - Illinois
Derrick Dufresne and Mike Mayer are Senior Partners at CRA (Community Resource Alliance). Derrick and Mike are inspirational leaders who have been committed to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities since the 1970's. In 2011, the Office of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, contracted with CRA to develop and guide the Active Community Care Transition process (ACCT-CRA), that would accelerate the transition of people living in State Operated Developmental Centers, to lives in the community.
We have been engaged with the CRA Team in developing individual person centered plans for each person making the transition to life in the community. More soon... |
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Next Generation Innovation - Bronx, NYBeth Mount is a visionary leader, who has gently guided people in a process of discovery of what is truly important that can lead to action. Beth has lived and worked in New York City for many years, establishing relationships with people with disabilities, those who love them, the direct support professionals and supervisors who assist with daily life, and executive and policy leaders. In collaboration with Beth, Patti Schuckle (then Director of the Bronx DDSO for the NY State OPWDD), and people engaged with 8 community provider agencies, we mobilized a learning community devoted to discovering how people with disabilities could be supported to envision their futures and with "their people" actively move forward toward their dreams.
More soon... |
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Maryland's Community Of PracticeTim Quinn was the brilliant and dynamic Executive Director of the Arc of Northern Chesapeake Region in Maryland. Tim was committed to "figuring out" how organizations that were developed to provide residential, day, recreation, and employment programs could make the paradigm shift from a program focused practice, to a person directed focus and practice. In collaboration with Tim, and Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration (under the leadership of Director, Michael Chapman, and Central Region Director, Cindy Kaufmann) we embarked on a 3 year reflective action learning process that engaged 29 agencies across the state.
More soon... |
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Seeing Is Believing - NCCDD
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