Promoting Self-Determination to Achieve Valued Outcomes

Karrie A. Shogren, PhD, FAAIDD, & Evan E. Dean PhD, FAAIDD, Kansas University Center on Disabilities

Authors of Promoting Self-Determination: Building Community Supports

Promoting self-determination is important because the disability community has identified this as important to them, but the research also tells us that promoting and enhancing self-determination contributes to other valued outcomes like competitive integrated employment, postsecondary education, community participation, and improved quality of life. The evidence is clear that when provide instruction, supports, and opportunities for self-determination, people are more likely to achieve the outcomes they value. Whether it is advancing supported decision making, competitive integrated employment, inclusive higher education, or everyday supports-related choices in the community—self-determination can lead to better outcomes.

Sharon Spurlock Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Arc of the United States National Conference of Executives 

Frank Symons, PhD, FAAIDD, will step into the role of Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, effective January 1.