6/14/2015

1

60th Anniversary Conference

Accountability for a Good Life Means Asking the

Right, Sharp Questions

A Social Revolution

Past Present

Away Homeowner & Citizen

Social Revolution

Inmates Post Secondary Students

Social Revolution

Patients and Doctors Students and Classmates

Strong Winds Blow Against Some People

• Separated

• Excluded

• Controlled

• Lonely

• Less capable

• Congregated

• Disability focused

• Negatively Imaged

What People who have an Intellectual Disability and their Allies are Proving

Limiting beliefs, myths, stereotypes and prejudices are giving way to a better

understanding, recognition, acceptance and celebration of the presence and participation

of all people in our community

New roles and identities are emerging

6/14/2015

2

Student Friend

Adult Learner Employee

Apprentice Social Justice Advocate

6/14/2015

3

An Artist Teacher and Painter

Inclusion is Global Belief Makes Things Possible

Relationship is the Key Listening

“People come to life when they make contact with someone who works

actively and faithfully to understand what they want to say”

John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien

Learning to Listen

6/14/2015

4

Responsible & Accountable for Addressing Sharp Questions

• Accountability: The externally imposed obligation to answer for our actions

• Responsibility: The personally felt need to act

• Right, Sharp Questions that promote a good life (and work against the winds that blow) keep us focused on what really matters

Sharp Questions about a Good Life

3 good questions to start with ...

1. What could I do to assist a person to discover, express their interests, preferences, passion?

Dancer

Friend

Painter

Sister

Student

Dreamer

Wife

Homeowner

A job

Graduate

Helpful

Teacher

Discover Interests, Preferences, Boredoms, etc Sharp Questions about a Good Life

3 good questions to start with ...

1. What could I do to assist a person to discover, express their interests, preferences, passion?

2. What could I do strengthen the capacity of typical citizens and communities to include, support and welcome this person?

Building Healthy Communities

Promote

Interdependence

Resolve Conflicts

Create

Inclusive Stories

See & Support

Capacities Accommodate

Differences

Not letting prejudice take control of a person’s life builds a

healthier, more just, and more resource rich community.

Sharp Questions about a Good Life

3 good questions to start with ...

1. What could I do to assist a person to discover, express their interests, preferences, passion?

2. What could I do strengthen the capacity of

typical citizens and communities to include, support and welcome this person?

3. What could I do to protect and promote a good

life for and with this person

6/14/2015

5

Valued Life Experiences

Relationships

Sharing Ordinary

Places

Competence

Choosing

Belonging

Respect

RESPECT

Images

Interactions Roles

& Support

Blockers for Protection says......? (Used by educational assistants)

Valued Social Role

Mayor’s Office Assistant

Settings

Activities

Competence

Personal Image

Associations

& Relationships

Wipe Out Autism? B.C. mom heartbroken after son in

wheelchair left to the side in class photo

6/14/2015

6

Respect & Dignity - Action Plan

Sharp Questions:

• What specifically can I do to ensure that this person is treated with respect and dignity and has the opportunity to acquire a really positive reputation?

• What valued community roles can be acquired, enhanced or developed for the person?

Valued Life Experiences

Sharing Ordinary

Places

Respect

Sharing Ordinary Places

• Being there with others at typical times and typical places

• Not separated by time, location and activity

Community Presence: Allows one to create opportunities for people..

To Be Known

To acquire experience

Discover compatibility

To Be Safe

To Gain Knowledge of

the Person

Strategic

Intentional

Conscious

Community Presence – Action Plan

Sharp Questions:

• What additional community settings would be in this person’s interest to visit, to use, to use more often and or to use more independently?

• What steps could I take now to facilitate a more strategic and meaningful presence in this person’s community / neighbourhood?

Valued Life Experiences

Sharing Ordinary

Places

Belonging

Respect

6/14/2015

7

Gems by Julie Belonging

Belonging (Joining In) – Action Plan

Sharp Questions:

• What could I do now to assist this person to participate in more of their community’s economic (employment) and civic life (educational, recreation, social, worship)?

• What interests or preferences could lead to increased participation?

Valued Life Experiences

Relationships

Sharing Ordinary

Places

Belonging

Respect Evie &

Emma

Relationships – Action Plan

Sharp Questions:

• What could I do now to assist this person to strengthen existing relationships?

• What could I do to help form new relationships?

Valued Life Experiences

Relationships

Sharing Ordinary

Places Choosing

Belonging

Respect

6/14/2015

8

Increasing, Autonomy, Choice and Control

Opportunities Control

Preferences

Power With (not over)

“There is a real imbalance of power between people with disabilities and their assistants. How this asymmetry is understood and managed determines the quality of everyday assistance, which strongly influences how people with disabilities contribute to the struggle for human rights and how they experience necessary protection.”

O’Brien, John and Lyle O’Brien, Connie, A Tune Beyond Us, Power Sharing Between People

with Substantial Disabilities & Their Assistants, Responsive Systems Associates, 1996

Choice and Control

Decisions Made by Support Person

Decisions Made Together Decisions Made by Individual

• daily, weekly, monthly, annually etc • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Choice & Control – Action Plan

Sharp Questions:

• What could I do now to assist the person to assume more control over the large and small decisions that affect their life?

• What do I need to do better or differently to assist this person to become more involved in everyday decision making?

Valued Life Experiences

Relationships

Sharing Ordinary

Places

Competence

Choosing

Belonging

Respect

Enhancing Competence: Allows one to create opportunities for ....

Greater Participation

Dispelling Limiting

Assumptions & Myths

Independence Pride of

Accomplishment

Strategic Intentional Conscious

6/14/2015

9

Learning

Relevancy Intensity

Frequency

Competence – Action Plan

Sharp Questions:

• What could I do now to assist the person to develop new skills, abilities and talents ....

.......particularly those that offer opportunities for increasing their use of and involvement in community life, decision making, independence and building personal relationships?

“A Textured Life”

www.rebeccabeayni.com

Valued Roles

DANCER

Valued Roles

ROM Volunteer –

Ontario Awards

Friends

Accountability for a Good Life

The Right Questions ...Sharp Questions