TRANSLATING SELF-DETERMINATION CONCEPTS INTO SUPPORT FOR ADULTS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES

Enhancing self-determination is an ongoing process that involves the d evelopment of skills, interaction with the environment, and the suppor t of others. In this report we translate the concepts of self-determin ation into action strategies for support providers who work with adult s with severe disabilities. Specifically, this report (a) describes se veral barriers to self-determination, (b) describes ways to translate the four components of self-determination into practice, (c) provides an example of how support for self-determination was implemented for o ne woman, and (d) discusses some of the unresolved challenges in makin g self-determination a reality for adults with severe disabilities.