We are a state rich with energetic, dedicated and driven people. The Statewide and Regional Task Forces are made up of people who ore self advocates, families, friends, direct support professionals, administrators and state employees who believe in the principals of Self- Determination.

Parents are responsible for advocating and insuring that quality services and supports exist for their children. We (self-advocates) have learned how to organize, advocate and communicate needs from watching our parents. We brought Self-Determination to NYS. Cornrnissioner Maul who believes in us as self-advocates has taken our recommendations seriously.

We, as self-advocates, talk about self-determinationand our dream. What we have learned over the past 2 and 1/2 years is that the dreams ar e to have fr iends and family in our lives, a place to call home, a community that we or e a part of and a job with good income, Some may call this a dream, we see it as having a life. When we ask for self-determination, we are asking for a life.

As we travel around the state and talk to different people in different roles, we hear many say they are already doing self-determination. We applaud you, you're heading in the right direction. But we believe that none of us are there yet. We are taking baby steps towards self determination, and we have a long road ahead of us.

Self Determination is about freedom, authority, responsibility, support, control, relationships and community Self determination is not only making choices and decisions, it is about maintaining control over resources that pay for our support.

If people are making decisions for which direction they go, who they receive services from, they are on the path to self-determination.

They are preparing for it. People are choosing the fork in the road toward choice. This is an important direction for self-determination.

Self- determination is about making choice and contrclling the resources that support the choices.

Tony Phillips & Janet Austin