Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities Annual Report, 1997 Page: 8 of 20
16 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this report.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Working together to increase ... Self-Determination
It is often pointed out that people who
control the money usually control the rules
too. For individuals with disabilities, this
frequently means that service providers,
agencies and policymakers have extensive
control over the individual's life and choices.
Self-determination is a new way of think-
ing, however, which puts individuals with
disabilities in charge of their own life. While
this does not eliminate the need for service
providers, it does shift decision making and
control to individuals who use the services.
Self-determination is also a new way of
thinking about service systems so that indi-
viduals with disabilities and family members
have a key role in creating policy and making
decisions that shape future services.
Increasing self-determination doesn't just
happen by itself, however. It requires new
partnerships with individuals and families to
increase their knowledge and skills, as well as
organizational partnerships.
During FY 1997, the Council funded five
projects that increased self-determination by
providing opportunities for Texans with
disabilities and family members to increase
control over their own lives and improve the
service system.
Two of the projects - a leadership training
program and conference stipends - worked
directly with individuals to increase their skills,
knowledge and ability to interact effectively
with policymakers. A consortium of state-
wide disability groups and two task forces
Kevin Hickman (at head of table)
discusses his interests, options
and life, including his desire to
work in a regular job instead of a
sheltered workshop in Lufkin, with
Roy Tonia (standing) and other
individuals he knows. (Photo
courtesy of Burke Center)also brought advocates together to strengthen
individual efforts and improve public policy.
In addition to working directly with
individuals with disabilities and family mem-
bers, these projects involved statewide advo-
cacy organizations; local advocacy groups;
policymakers such as legislators and other
elected officials, their staffs and state agencies;
state and national leaders; the news media;
service providers; educators; and other profes-
sionals and organizations.
Q Partners in Policymaking is a leadership
training program that works with state and
national leaders to prepare adults with dis-
abilities and parents of young children with
disabilities to influence public policy so
Texans can obtain supports they need to be
part of their communities.
Graduates and current participants
work on issues which cut across all aspects
of their lives and affect all members of their
community, from education to employment,
recreation, transportation, housing and inde-
pendent living, accessibility and other issues.
Graduates address these issues on regional,
state and national levels through individual
advocacy, participation in local and state
organizations, and service on boards, commit-
tees and task forces.
Sixty-eight Texans from 37 counties gradu-
ated from Partners in Policymaking in the
spring of 1997 from classes based in Austin
and Houston. New classes began in the fall of
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities Annual Report, 1997, report, 1997; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth307517/m1/8/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.