This was designed to be a short form, self-administered version of the Life Quality Assessment which we developed for DDS in the mid nineties. Here’s the introduction we used: What is California Lifestyles about? The questions you will find below are designed to help Californians with developmental disabilities look at their own quality of life. … Read moreCalifornia Lifestyles
In the mid nineties, we were lucky enough to be involved in the evaluation of the initial effort to develop supported living services and supports in California. The purpose of the evaluation was to provide information about CSLA of value to the Department of Developmental Services and others. The Department asked us to study the … Read moreCommunity Supported Living Arrangements (CSLA) Evaluation: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This article was written in 1994. Another classic! We’re guessing that both authors find it hard to believe that we’re still waiting for self-determination and a system of support brokerage. Michael continues to spread the word while Gary, unfortunately, passed away before self-determination became a national reality. Michael W. Smull & Gary SmithA cursory review of current … Read moreMoving to a system of support: using support brokerage
Developed by Vicky Vining for Tri Counties Regional Center. These person-centered service expectations still resonate across all services and supports. One agency has adapted it for use as an annual customer survey. Universal Service Expectations
by Michael Smull July 2013 Managing any risk begins with learning what is “important to” the person as well as what is “important for”, and helping to find a good balance between them. Often risk is significantly diminished when our understanding of what the person wants deepens and we find reasonably safe ways for the … Read moreThinking About Risks
Another deep dive into the archives, but still very relevant. Part 1 by Michael W. Smull AAMR’s News and NotesChoice is the most powerful word and the most abused word in the current lexicon of the disabilities services system. For some people choice means that how they want to live has been discovered and carefully … Read moreRevisiting Choice
Excerpted from Patterns ofSupported Living: A Resource Catalogue Developed for: California Department of Developmental Services 1600 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 D.D.S. Contract No. Hd290099by: Allen, Shea & Associates Napa, CA 94559 and Claudia Bolton 6/93 This is another article from way back in the ASA archives that is amazingly current! Introduction There are many dimensions which shape … Read moreRisks and Opportunities
This excerpt is from Patterns of Supported Living: A Resource Catalogue. Along with our colleague Claudia Bolton, we wrote this piece in 1993. The predictions have held up, but it took about 20 years longer than we thought. In about the mid-1980’s civil rights movement and consumer self-advocacy really started to affect the service system for … Read moreThings Are Changing
By John O’Brien In most places, the government still pays people who give services. Services like a place to live, help with finding a job, support in keeping a place of your own. In some places, things are starting to change! The government is starting to give money to people with developmental disabilities to pay for their own … Read moreWhat Happens When You Pay for Your Own Services?
by Jay Kleinexcerpted from Not Just Another “Rung” on the Continuum, TASH Newsletter, 1994. Individualization Webster’s dictionary defines “individual” as a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species or collection, as single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution, as a single organism, as distinguished from a group, … Read moreThe Principles of Supported Living
