Self-determination is another way of saying freedom. It is a fundamental human right. It means that people have authority over how their lives will be lived, where & with whom. It means that people have control of the resources needed for their support , as well as responsibility for their decisions & actions.

Principles for Action
Understanding of & commitment to the following principles are essential to ensure this basic human right. Each action & decision made within the system should be weighed against these principles.

Choice: People have the right to choose how they will live their lives, where, & with whom. When people need help, it is friends & family closest to them who assist them in broadening their experiences & exercising their right to choose. It is essential that each person have a network or circle of support chosen by them.

Relationships: The relationships a person has with others are like precious gems & should be treated in that way. A relationship must be treasured, nurtured, & protected. Those with whom the individual has real relationships provide the strength, assistance, & security which ensure each person’s well-being.

Contribution & Community: Everyone has the ability to contribute to their community in a meaningful way. Giving of ourselves helps us establish a sense of belonging & identity. Community membership includes having an opportunity to be employed, to have your own home, to be truly involved in the routines of the community & to make a difference in the lives of others.

Control: People have the power to make decisions & truly control their lives. This includes authority over financial resources, as well as authority to determine what supports are needed, how they will be implemented & by whom. People also have control of hiring those who will provide support.

Roles & Responsibilities: Individuals, as they take greater control & authority over their lives & resources, assume greater responsibility for their decisions & actions. They are also responsible to contribute to their supports if resources exist to do so. They will find their power, become self-advocates, & communicate their needs. Professionals & staff work for the individual rather than for the system. Families, friends, & staff assist people to create more meaningful relationships, link them with needed supports, remove barriers, develop safety networks, & help make dreams come true

Dreaming: All people have hopes & dreams which guide the actions they take & are most meaningful to them. A commitment to helping people determine their dreams, respecting those dreams, & helping make dreams come true is crucial.

Dignity & Respect: All people have an inherent right to be treated with dignity & to be respected as a whole person. Most of life’s greatest lessons are learned when we make choices that we later realize were mistakes. All people have the right to the dignity of risk. The network of support makes risk possible by weaving a safety net which provides safety & supports growth

Fiscal Conservatism: Making things happen does not always require money. It is imperative that alternatives to paid supports be found. When support must be purchased, people will get what they need, pay only for what they get, make real investments, spend money more efficiently, & make adjustments when they are needed. To find the best quality for the most reasonable price, people are free to purchase in & out of the system.

Whatever it Takes: An attitude that nothing is impossible, as long as it is legal & causes no harm, is required. "No, we can’t" as an answer is replaced by, "How can we make this happen?". Those who work in the system become barrier removers.

Reprinted with permission of Ellen M. Cummings.