Self-Determination in Vermont: Contributions of the Vermont Self-Determination Project.

This report discusses the accomplishments and challenges of the Vermont Self-Determination Project (SDP), a 3-year project designed to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to create the quality of life they desire for themselves and, by discovering and sharing their natural gifts and talents, to nourish and enrich both their own lives and those of their communities. To meet this goal, the SDP has worked collaboratively with people with disabilities and families to promote statewide systems change both to increase opportunities for choice and control and to decrease barriers to choice and control. The report is based on interviews conducted with SDP teams, other project staff, and individuals with disabilities and families of individuals with disabilities who have had some contact or involvement with SDP teams. The report addresses four areas: opportunities for self-determination at the individual level, systems change to promote self-determination, self-advocacy, and issues related to implementation of the SDP itself. For each area, there is a discussion of accomplishments and challenges. This is followed by a section addressing next steps that were identified during the course of the research, and a brief conclusion. Findings indicate SDP has made a significant contribution to comprehensive systems change. (CR)