The following article is excerpted from Person-Centered Planning with MAPS and PATH: A Workbook for Facilitators, written by John O’Brien and Jack Pierpoint.  It is an excellent reminder that true person-centered planning leads to actions that give people with disabilities real opportunities to contribute to the life of their communities and to benefit from their contributions in turn.

Person-centered planning is rooted in respect for the person and a commitment to build inclusive communities.

The process takes its lead from sustained, careful listening to the person, in whatever ways the person communicates.  For some people, this listening will require those who join in person-centered planning to take time to get to know the person well enough so the person can trust them and communicate effectively with them.  The process accommodates the person as much as possible in terms of where, how, and with whom meetings are held and things get done.  The process results in informed choices about how the person wants to live as a contributing community member and how services can best assist.

2. Family members & friends are full partners

Person-centered planning holds people in the context that of their family, friendships, and communities.  It assumes that family members and friends have important knowledge and can make contributions that cannot be replaced (though some people may have lost touch with their families and some families may sometimes be unable to contribute).  Sometimes there are conflicts about what is possible, or safe, or desirable.  Person-centered planning offers ways for people to creatively negotiate these conflicts so that as much energy as possible is available to support the person.

3. The focus is on developing capacities

Person-centered planning leads to actions that disclose capacities and gifts in the person, among the person’s family and friends, and in communities.  It reflects what is important to the person, now and for the future.  It insists that the person have real opportunities to contribute to the life of their communities and to benefit from their contributions in turn.  This often means negotiating for the accommodations a person needs and sometimes it means helping others to welcome the person.  The role of services is to support the person as a contributing community member, so decisions about the design of services and supports come after decisions about how it makes sense for a person to live.

4. Hopeful action happens

Person-centered planning recognizes the social reality of ignorance, prejudice, and discrimination that keeps many people with developmental disabilities from taking their rightful place in community life.  This reality will only change when people take action together to change it. The point of person-centered planning is to challenge barriers to participation.  This often means stretching service provision into new shapes.  Action is based on hope that grows from the positive changes that people with disabilities and their allies have already made.  Those involved in person-centered planning may write plans to remember and communicate what they have learned, but the purpose of person centered planning is to motivate positive action. 

5. Listening and learning continue

Person-centered planning recognizes that positive possibilities unfold as the people involved learn from experience.  Small successes often raise expectations.  Greater trust encourages clearer requests and bolder choices.  News of hat others have achieved or changes in communities or services indicate new directions. Some explorations end with the recognition that what seemed like a good idea was not satisfying. Changes in people’s lives call for adjustments.