Guidelines: How to Write and Report About People with Disabilities

The first edition of the Guidelines was produced with funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. Since then, more than one million copies have been distributed, and the electronic version is now used by people around the world. Please use the Guidelines when you write or report about people with disabilities. We … Read more

Considerations for Regional Centers Implementing Person-Centered Organizational Change

For a variety of reasons, many of California’s regional centers are currently considering or have implemented a person-centered organizational initiative.  Moving towards a person-centered system requires considerable thought and planning to be effective. This brief article present some factors to consider in the early stages of planning, implementation, or efforts to sustain the initiative. There … Read more

Practicalities and Possibilities! Person centred thinking and planning with older people

by Helen Sanderson and Associates The stories shared in this paper show what’s working well and what people are learning about providing truly person centred support that gives older people greater choice and control over any assistance they need. This is crucial as we know that the more people of any age rely on others … Read more

Becoming a Person Centered System

by Michael W. Smull, Mary Lou Bourne, & Helen Sanderson A variety of agencies in many different locations have engaged with us in a set of efforts that have evolved over time. At each location the goal has been consistent: to create person centered systems that support person directed services. The learning that has taken place … Read more

essential lifestyle planning for everyone

Michael W. Smull and Helen Sanderson with Charlotte Sweeney, Louise Skelhorn,Amanda George, Mary Lou Bourne and Michael Steinbruck Welcome to the second edition of the facilitator’s handbook, a resource manual for those people who develop essential lifestyle plans. Since we first developed essential lifestyle planning in the late 1980s and early 1990s we have tried to … Read more

Personalized Dementia Care

Person Centered Approach to providing Quality Care (more information here) CMS and the State of Minnesota requirements recognize the importance of educating staff on providing quality care for the folks that suffer from Dementia. By understanding some key facts about how a person with Dementia sees the world and some practical tools to ensure affective, … Read more