Dignity

All the other rights are meaningless if I am not recognized as a person first. Legal capacity is about personhood -- it's about me.

Jane Akinyi

Disability Rights Fund Global Advisor and Self Advocate

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People with intellectual disabilities have rights.

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Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination

Dreams

We build our lives based on what is important to us, what we like, what we dream of and what we are able to do.

We call these values, interests, goals and abilities.

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Never Say Never.

We also build our lives based on the world around us, the things we can see and the things we know about. When building a life, inclusion and equity are important words.

Inclusion

Respects and welcomes differences. It brings us together into the same safe and valued space.

Equity

Is fairness. It is getting what you need to succeed. It may include choosing a special activity designed for a person with a specific disability.

Different people and families may pick resources and services based on a balance of both equity and inclusion.

We hope to share ideas about resources for you to choose from, that will help you feel welcomed and successful in inclusive and specialized spaces.

Charting the LifeCourse

In Indiana, the Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) uses a great resource for life planning. It is called Charting the LifeCourse from LifeCourse Nexus.

LifeCourse is designed to be used for your own life, your family or in your work.

They have tools to help you organize ideas, dreams and goals.

There are also tools to help you solve problems, find things that you need and speak up for yourself!

Learn more about LifeCourse

Our Favorite LifeCourse Tools:

Exploring Decision Making Supports
Exploring Life's Possibilities
Integrated Supports Star
Life Domain Vision Tool - Person Centered
Life Trajectory for Planning

Find the LifeCourse Tools here