To understand the meaning of Self-determination and the key elements of Self-Directed Supports for people with disabilities (self-advocates); and as guided by self-advocates, use these concepts in your role as a Support Broker.
1. Define Self-Determination. 2. Identify the key principles of Self-Determination as defined by
self-advocacy groups. 3. Outline the key elements of a Self-Directed support system.
4. Describe how a Support Broker facilitates self-direction.
As a Support Broker,
your role is to facilitate the life plan of an adult who has a
disability. Like all people, people
with disabilities want to be in charge of their own lives. Being
in charge means that you decide the basics, what to wear in the
morning, what to eat, and when to go to bed. It also means
that you choose what kind of life you will lead, where you will
live, who you will live with, your friends, your work, your hobbies,
things you do for pleasure, things you do that contribute to your
community, political views and who you vote for. Self-Determination
means that you have the same rights and responsibilities
as everybody else. Self-Determination means that
you are in charge of your own destiny. As a Support Broker,
your role is to assist adults with disabilities to live their
Self-Determination is based on a person's wants, needs, and desires. There is no right or wrong way to be Self-Determined. In fact,
there are as many paths to Self-Determination as there are people. Your role as a Support Broker is to make a person's life choices possible.
The My Voice, My Choice waiver option in Idaho is a self-directed support system guided by the principles of Self-Determination. The key elements of self-directed supports are:
Use of a Support Broker and Fiscal Intermediary
Individualized funding and budgets
Assurance of quality services, health, and safety
Support Brokers will listen carefully, help to develop an individualized plan,
and then assist with the execution of the plan.
Two self-advocates share their thoughts on
One responsibility of a Support Broker
is to assist individuals to make decisions and
to take responsibility for the consequences of those
Some people with disabilities use alternative communication strategies to express themselves. Throughout this training, you will meet individuals who communicate using: 1) spoken words, 2) assistive technology devices, and 3) through other people who know them well.
Clickhere for more information on alternative communication systems.
Kristyn (below) uses an electronic communication device. For clarity, a transcript of her words is provided below the video segment.
Does the way that Kristyn communicate
affect her ability to be Self-Determined? If you were Kristyn's
Support Broker, how would you insure that her voice is heard and understood?
Kristyn's own words are: "Self-Determination means being able to stand up for yourself
and what you believe in. It also means that I am able to view
my options and make my own decisions without others doing
it for me."