Self Determination in Youth Who are Deaf-Blind Peggy Sinclair-Morris Project Coordinator VA Project for Children & Youth who are Deaf-Blind VA Commonwealth.

Self Determination in Youth Self Determination in Youth Who are Deaf-BlindWho are Deaf-Blind

Peggy Sinclair-MorrisPeggy Sinclair-MorrisProject CoordinatorProject CoordinatorVA Project for Children & Youth who are VA Project for Children & Youth who are Deaf-BlindDeaf-BlindVA Commonwealth UniversityVA Commonwealth University

What is Self-Determination?What is Self-Determination?

• “What’s self-determination about? It’s about personal control, power, and most important the right to chase our dreams… the right to lead our lives the way we want to, not the ways others expect us to. The right to make mistakes and suffer the consequences as well as make good choices and enjoy the outcomes.”

(Martin & Marshall)

Self-Determination is:Self-Determination is:

The power to make choices that reflect personal preferences, interests, and values

The prerogative to have control over one’s own life

Freedom to develop a vision for the future

To have that vision respected by others.

(Brian Abery, Ph.D. Institute on Community Integration)

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

• Awareness of personal preferences

• Ability to set goals

• Ability to use the skills to achieve goals

• Evaluate progress toward a goal

• Learn from experience

Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles

• All persons desire self-determination and are capable of

achieving it.

Basic Principles Basic Principles (cont.)(cont.)

• Self-determination is a continuum.

Principles Principles (cont.)(cont.)

• Self-Determination results from interaction between the individual

and the environment.

Principles Principles (cont.)(cont.)

• Self-Determination is a life-span issue.

SkillsSkills

• Decision-Making

• Problem-Solving

• Communication

• Behavior Management

More SkillsMore Skills

• Personal Advocacy

• Goal Setting

• Social Skills

• Independent Living Skills

Attitudes & BeliefsAttitudes & Beliefs

• Locus of Control– Internal

– External

Attitudes and Beliefs Attitudes and Beliefs (cont.)(cont.)

• Self-Concept or Self-Esteem

• Self-Confidence

Early YearsEarly Years

• Respond to infant communication

• Support mobility and exploration

• Expand choice-making opportunities

• Provide a supportive communication environment

Early Years - StrategiesEarly Years - Strategies

• Collaboration and Consistency

• Control

• Decision Making

• Evaluation

• Goal Setting

• Communication

Youth and Young AdulthoodYouth and Young Adulthood

• Determine areas of control

• Involve in decision making

• Balance risks

Youth Youth (cont.)(cont.)

• Acknowledgement

• Process

• Dreams

• Accountability

SupportsSupports

• Interveners

• SSPs

• Assistive Technology

• Orientation and Mobility Training

• ASL

KnowledgeKnowledge

• Rights and Responsibilities

• Educational Options

• Resources

• Society

ChoiceChoice

• “I have choices.”

• “I am responsible for my choices.”

• “I am respected.”

(my choice, my control, my community: an ordinary life, Partnership for People with Disabilities)

A Meaningful LifeA Meaningful Life

ResourcesResources

• National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness www.nationaldb.org

• VA Project for Children and Young Adults w/ Deaf-Blindness http://www.twc-deafblind.state.va.us/index.html

• Texas School f/t Blind and Visually Impaired http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/deafblind/index.htm

• Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adultswww.hknc.org

• VA Dept. of Ed. Training & Technical Assistance Center www.ttaconline.org

Contact InformationContact Information

• The VA Project for Children and Young Adults with Deaf-Blindness can be contacted by phone, e-mail, fax, or snail mail.

(804) 827-2377(877) 295-7799 (toll free)

psinclairmor@vcu.edu(804) 828-0042 (fax)

Partnership for People w/ Disabilities, VCU700 East Franklin St. P.O. Box 843020

Richmond, VA 23284-3020