My Life, My Choices
The next innovation for people with disabilities
“My Life, My Choices” is a proposal to transform the opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities.
Building on a growing chorus of support from the community, and over a decade of work from people with disabilities and advocates, a pathway to launch the next innovation will provide better and more satisfying results for people with disabilities and also offer greater government efficiency.
You can support the 'My Life, My Choices' concept today with these resources!
We believe that “My Life, My Choices” will be the next chapter in services for people with disabilities by:
- Seeing people first through their abilities, then seeking targeted services to support unique needs.
- Supporting people with disabilities to design their full lives in community with a trusted partner.
- Reducing government oversight to improve efficiencies.
What are the chief differences between “My Life, My Choices” and the current system of services?
Imagine that "Jim", a hypothetical person eligible to receive disabilities support through the State, rides his bike, without asking anyone, to the grocery store to buy a loaf of bread. He returns home and makes a sandwich. If this type of community experience was not written into Jim’s care plan, it would be considered a “critical incident” to report to his case manager, guardian and other team members.
This shouldn't be a “critical incident” to be reported to the State. It’s a joyful outcome for Jim!
Current funding system compared with "My Life, My Choices":
Today
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Possible Future
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A person with disabilities is considered
unable and vulnerable.
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A person with disabilities is considered
able, with different levels of ability.
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| The State pays for 100% protection. |
Jim, his family, and the State share responsibility and risk. |
| We have a costly system of rules, regulations, reviews, and audits to manage budgets and outcomes. |
Existing Fiscal Support Entities help Jim account for money spent and Jim reports his outcomes annually. |
| Primary focus: Maintenance and safety. |
Primary focus: Growth and life quality. |
| Protected living, minimal freedoms. |
Normal living, minimal constraints. |
| Dependence. |
Independence and trust. |
How do I offer my support to 'My Life, My Choices'?:
Your voice is needed to shape important priority-setting conversations for Minnesota. ‘My Life, My Choices’ will take all of us as we seek policy change at the State and Federal levels, and engage in deeper conversations in our communities about the next steps for greater independence with people with disabilities.
Sign up
Sign up for our timely email alerts so you can be updated on what’s happening with ‘My Life, My Choices’ and how you can support it. You can also receive updates from our twitter and facebook pages.
View
View the full 30-minute Institutions to Independence documentary (published on the MN Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities website). Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota produced a documentary on the history of services for people with developmental disabilities in Minnesota. Our hope is to inform public policy decisions, institutional actions, and personal commitments aimed at creating more freedom, choice and opportunity so that our neighbors with disabilities can live their fullest lives in community. If you would like copies of the video, please contact advocacy@lssmn.org
Share
Share the 8 minute abbreviated version of ‘Institutions to Independence’ found on youtube with friends, colleagues and others who may be interested in learning about the next steps in Minnesota for people with disabilities. Post it to your facebook feed or tweet it to others on twitter.
Review the Institutions to Independence study guide designed to help congregations, and other groups, to more deeply consider these possibilities. Let us know if you’d like to share this with your congregation or other group and our office can provide support.
Review
‘My Life, My Choices’ has received support from legislators, advocates, people with disabilities and their families, and many others. Here are a few of these recognitions: