Person-Centered Planning: Choosing the Approach that Works for the Person

Person-centered planning is not one defined process, but a range or continuum of processes allunderpinned by the same values base and goal – to provide supports necessary to assist people to gainagency in their lives. – Valerie Bradley Here’s an excerpt from this excellent NCAPPS article. You can find it here. “Over the past several … Read more

Patterns of Supported Living

Although written in 1993, this piece still contains great stories of supported living in California. You can download it here. PrefaceAt one point in completing this work, we were overwhelmed by how it could easily go wrong. That is, we could just paint a picture called Supported Living and hope for the best as people … Read more

On “natural proportions”

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

The Power of Words: More on Person-First and Identity-First Language

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

The Architects of Person Centered Planning, A Brief History of The Learning Community, and Foundational Articles

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

When Words Are Not Enough!

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

Culture, Intersectionality, Identity, and Disability

Understanding culture is important to person-centered thinking, planning, and practices. Culture influences how we view health, mental health, well-being, illness, and disability. Culture influences what a person believes is important to them and their families. Since we are all cultural beings, programs striving to deliver person-centered thinking, planning, and practices must be responsive to culture. … Read more

Standing with Jon

In the early days (late 1980s) of person-centered thinking and planning, Essential Lifestyle Planning was created by Michael Smull and Susan Burke Harrison to support people moving from institutions to community living arrangements. In the early 1990s, Jon was one of the first individuals outside of an institution to work with Michael and Claudia Bolton on … Read more