SELF-DETERMINATION

 

POLICY STATEMENT

 People with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities[1] have the same right to self-determination as all people. They must have opportunities and experiences that enable them to exert control in their lives and to advocate on their own behalf.

 ISSUE

 Many of our constituents have not had the opportunity or the support to control choices and decisions about important aspects of their lives. Instead, they are often overprotected and involuntarily segregated. Many of these people have not had opportunities to learn the skills and have the experiences that would enable them to take more personal control and make choices. The lack of such learning opportunities and experiences has impeded the right of people with these disabilities to become participating, valued, and respected members of their communities. Furthermore, state monitoring and licensure policies and practices may be contrary to the principles of self-determination.

 POSITION

 Our constituents, as Self Advocates, have the same right to self-determination as all people and must have the freedom, authority, and support to exercise control over their lives. To this end, they: 

bulletMust have the opportunity to advocate for themselves with the knowledge that their desires will be heard and respected.
bulletMust have opportunities to acquire skills and develop beliefs that enable them to take greater personal control.
bulletMust be active participants in decision-making about their lives.
bulletMust be supported, assisted, and empowered to vote and to become active members and leaders on community boards, committees, and agencies.
bulletMust have the primary leadership role in setting the policy direction for the self-determination movement.
bulletMust have the option to direct their own care and allocate available resources.
bulletMust be able to hire, train, manage, and fire their personal assistants.
bulletMust have the opportunity to be involved in governmental decisions that have an impact on their lives.

 Additionally, in working with our constituents: 

bulletFamilies and substitute decision-makers should be supported to understand the concept and implementation of self-determination, including the limits on their powers.
bulletDisability organizations should make self-determination a priority and include this important concept in their conferences, publications, advocacy, training, services, policies, and research.
bulletGovernments should regularly review and revise laws, regulations, policies, and funding systems to promote self-determination. The affected individuals must be involved in these reviews and revisions.

 

The Arc’s Congress of Delegates:            2004

 

 

[1] “People with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities” refers to our constituency, i.e., those defined by the AAMR classification and the DSM IV. In everyday language they are frequently referred to as people with intellectual, cognitive, or developmental disabilities although the professional and legal definitions of those terms both include others and exclude some defined by DSM V.