Over 1 million website views since 1996
allenbill Note: For some time on the ASA website, the highest viewed articles have been about identity-first/person-first language preferences. This is a summary of a recent survey in Canada and Australia.
Dr. Lou Brown: In the past, segregated schools were common, and we began questioning their impact on individuals with disabilities as they transitioned into adulthood. We realized that segregated schools often led to limited opportunities, such as placement in day activity centers, because they did not prepare individuals to participate in meaningful activities in the … Read more
Whether an individual with a disability, or a parent, a program evaluator or a facilitator of IPPs and IEPs, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Lou Brown. He was an early leader in the field of education of students and adults with disabilities. His work lives on in the current best practices … Read more
Another excellent article on person-first and identity first language. Here’s an excerpt: Throughout the disability community, preferences on how to refer to people vary widely, which was reflected in a poll we conducted of our social media followers. We had 129 people answer our poll and share their opinions on this topic. Here were the … Read more
This article emphasizes the importance of balancing what is “important to” a person (happiness, fulfillment) with what is “important for” them (health, safety) when managing risk. It highlights that risk cannot be eliminated but can be managed through understanding individual needs and creating supportive environments. Segregated lives increase risks of abuse and neglect, while fear … Read more
The foundations of person-centered planning, thinking and practices are rooted in the writings of a number of individuals. Here are some of the key figures often thought of as the “architects” of person-centered planning. In addition, a brief history of The Learning Community as well as a listing of foundational articles. You can find it … Read more
Below you will find a partial list of articles that provide context to the evolution of The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices:
This summary is based on a classic article by Michael Smull (Person- centered planning and perversion prevention). If you would like to read the original version, you can find it here.
by Arthur Bolton* A mother concludes teaching her six year old about the golden rule by saying, “So you see dear, we are here to help others.” After thinking about this for a moment the child asks, “And what are the others here for?” There is great interest in the development of comprehensive solutions to … Read more
Read the story and the reminder of the tension between language change and meaningful action in disability advocacy. “From morons, to the feebleminded, to patients, to the retarded, to clients, and now consumers. You do that and then you go home feeling self-satisfied that you’ve just done something good and important for people like my … Read more