Transcript Vision for Tomorrow

Self–Advocacy, Self Determination
and YOU
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We cannot solve our
problems with the same
thinking we used when we
created them
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Albert Einstein
Problems & Challenges exist
New Thinking & Involvement Needed
20,000 – 22,000 People are waiting for
services
 Yet Government Services are being
cut!
 Something needs to be done….
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New Pathways are needed
 Lots
of Self Advocates are needed
 Real Self-Determination is needed
 Change is needed
 Self Advocates must be heard and
involved
 New ideas are needed
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But to make things happen,
Self Advocates are needed
Self-Advocacy is speaking up for
myself and not being afraid
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Self-advocacy is…
 Standing
up for our rights
 Being in charge of my life
 Being treated with Respect
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Who is a Self Advocate?
A Self-Advocate is …
A person who speaks up for himself or
herself.
 Someone who speaks up and lets
others know what he or she thinks.
 YOU !
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Self-Advocates must be heard
We are having success
 There are 40 local Self Advocate
Groups plus many Aktion Clubs with
hundreds of members.
 But we must be really good self
advocates in order for our voice to be
heard.
 And we must be in control.
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Self-Determination is Important
People with disabilities have the right to
make decisions that shape their life
today and tomorrow.
This is Self-Determination
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Principles of Self-Determination
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Freedom to plan your own life.
Authority –determine how money is spent.
Support –build a meaningful life in the
community.
Responsibility – to use funding wisely and
contribute to one’s community (citizenship).
Leadership - to be an equal partner in the
design of the State-wide system and other
supports in the community
Self-Determination
(as described by people with disabilities)
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When I take action and do something to make
changes in my life when I want to
Control my own life, make my own decisions and
plan my future
Being treated as an adult not like a child when I
direct my services and supports and having people
listen to me
Determine how money is spent for my supports
Takes responsibility for the decisions I make
Self-Determination is NOT
a “program” or a “model”……...
It’s a PROCESS and a
PATHWAY to a different future!
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Self-Determination is different than
how things are usually done
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The Current Way is: A person may be
placed in an available job that may not
match their interest.
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With Self-Determination: A person’s
skills and interests are identified and
then the appropriate job is found.
Self-Determination is different
than how things are usually done
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Current Way things are done:
Agency offers a set of services from
those it operates
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With Self-Determination: Person and
circle of people who support the self
advocate choose or build supports from
any source
Self-Determination is different than
how things are usually done
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The Current Way is: A person’s
choices and interests may be matched
with agency offerings but not
guaranteed.
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With Self-Determination: Supports
and services are developed to achieve
the person’s dreams.
What keeps real Self-Determination
from happening?
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Self Determination and “person centered
planning” is pretty radical and most people
don’t like to make changes.
Self Advocates & others don’t have the
experience with choice-making and control
Shift in power to the Self Advocate who
would be in in control
What keeps real Self-Determination
from happening? (continued)
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Opposed by some providers, government
and even parents/family members – many
fear change
The whole service system is not in place to
provide and support individualized services
Old public policies not up-to-date and not
everyone agrees changes should be made
“We can’t do that”
Yet this may be
the time for change
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Growth of Self-Advocacy
Growth of and success of self advocates
directing their services across the country
Growth of and success of family directed
services across the country
Greater flexibility on use of Medicaid dollars,
we just need to make sure the state does it
right
Self Advocates need to make it happen
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Leadership – Self-Advocates must lead/ You
Leadership - Self Advocate Groups, Aktion
Clubs & SAI/US
Collaboration – Work with others
Shared vision – Have a vision & believe in it:
Self Advocacy & Self Determination
Have a Plan that will lead to change
Educate the general public
SAI’s Goals –
the roadmap to change
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Self-Advocates of Indiana (SAI) is a strong and
effective organization with chapters statewide
SAI supports and speaks for all self-advocates
SAI is a strong voice in advocating for public
policies to protect and support services for selfadvocates
SAI informs and educates Hoosiers about the
rights and abilities of self-advocates
SAI supports and encourages community
employment for all individuals with disabilities
People with Disabilities
must be Empowered
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Be more proactive in educating individuals (and
families) on all the opportunities that might be
possible:
Expand people’s understanding of options beyond
traditional supports; both current and long term
Expand people’s definition of work to include
volunteering and internships.
Enhance individual skills to support greater selfdirection
Foster people’s ability to hope and dream
New Pathways to Empowerment
Takes a fresh look at Indiana’s system
of programs and services for people
with disabilities and their families
 Redesign and Redefine a system that
provides what people want and need
in the most sensible way possible
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Self-Advocates Are Needed
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1.
To be a LOUD Voice for Our
Rights and the Services we Need
and Want
2.
For Community Awareness,
Outreach & Being Active at the
Grassroots Level
You Can Do It !
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Self-Advocates are local grassroots
advocates and activists.
Self-Advocates receive volunteer &
participate in training
Self-Advocates and others begin the local
“grassroots” campaign in their community
Self-Advocates share ideas and new
pathways
You Can Do It !
Talk about what’s important to you…such as
Talk about JOBS – Talk about why you want a
good job with good pay.
Let YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
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“Alone we can do so
little, together we can
do so much.”
Helen Keller
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Please contact us
Melody Cooper
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 317-701-7162
Self-Advocates of Indiana
107 N. Pennsylvania St., Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46204
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