Community Integration, Self-Determination, and Self Advocacy
Community is a group of people that come together for a common reason. Some communities are based on a common interest and others are based on geography such as a neighborhood. It is common for people to belong to several communities. In the past, people with disabilities often had a presence in their communities, but may not have had opportunities to participate in, connect with, or contribute to their communities. Community iteration involves people actively participating and having opportunities to engage and connect with others in meaningful ways. Community integration is not just using a library, going on a “community outing”, or attending a baseball game with a group of people with disabilities. Community integration is joining a book club at a local library, everyday life, or tailgating with fans before a game. DSPs should empower and support people with developmental disabilities in connecting and developing relationships with their broader communities based on each person’s unique strengths, interests, and preferences.
Self- Determination is when people choose and set their own goals, work to reach their goals, and make decisions that affect their lives. According to the NADSP COE, DSPs “promote self-determination in physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual pursuits.”
This often means giving people with developmental disabilities dignity of risk, which is the right of a person to make an informed choice to engage in experiences meaningful to them and which are necessary for personal growth and development. Some experiences may come with negative consequences, such as disappointment, but this is a natural part of life.
Rather than protecting people with disabilities from negative consequences, DSPs should support them to make informed decisions. The dignity or risks asks that DSPS help people explore and reach for their dreams while keeping health and safety at the forefront of services.
Unless the person you are supporting would be at or pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, they have the right to decide for themselves.
A DSP is not there to help people avoid failures but to educate them and help them learn from their experiences.
One part of self-determination is advocating for yourself, or self-advocacy.
The first step people take toward self-advocacy is gaining knowledge about their preferences. Another step is to know their rights, both as a citizen and as a person with a disability. Then, people can speak up for themselves and for the things that are important to them.
As a DSP, become curious about the people you support. Learn alongside them about what they love, what they can do, and what’s important to them.
When people know their strengths, interests, and skills, they can make their own decisions, speak up for themselves, and live the lives they want.