concurrent sessions Sunday, July 30, 2000
Title	Summary	Presenters
What Does it Take to Individualize Block Funded Budgets? (Access Level 2)	Within the current service delivery system, the vast majority of funding is allocated to agencies that provide services and programs to people who must meet various eligibility criteria. This session outlined how innovative service agencies are "unbundling" or "reconfiguring" their block funded budgets in order to create individualized funding arrangements based on the actual needs of individuals.	Ric Crowley (U.S.A.)   Chris Taylor (England)   Linda Perry - Moderator (Canada)
Individualized Funding is For Everyone - Why User Control Isn't "Crazy" (Access Level 2)	While almost everyone agrees that individualized funding should be an option for everyone who wants it, very few people with mental health needs actually have control over cash - they get only traditional services instead. In this session, advocates for system change talked about why people labeled "mentally ill" so often get left out of the discussion and what is being done to change this situation.	Judi Chamberlin (U.S.A.)   Rea Maglajlic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)   Diane Richler - Moderator (Canada)
Self-Determination & Citizenship (Access Level 3)	This session examined the meaning of self-determination and its value in the effort to promote full citizenship for people who are excluded, or are at risk of exclusion.	Michael Bach (Canada)   Paul Young (Canada)   Theresa Rankin - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Tim Stainton (Wales)
Real Choice in the New Millennium (Access Level 2)	The issues associated with increasing choices for people with disabilities were discussed in the context of the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act (MiCASSA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).	Harlan Hahn (U.S.A.)   Mary McKnew (U.S.A.)   Marcia Rioux - Moderator (Canada)
Professional Roles in a Consumer Driven System: Who Does What to Whom and Why? (Access Level 3)	Individualized funding seems to offer a way to escape from professional interference, but some professional involvement will undoubtedly remain. At the very least there will be a need to ration public funding, and monitor its use, and some people will need help in planning and organizing their supports. This session analyzed the possible roles for professionals within an Individualized Funding system, and considered how they can be designed to support user control.	Steve Dowson (UK)   Joe Marrone -Moderator (U.S.A.)
Home Is Where the Heart Is (Access Level 3)	Throughout the world, efforts are being made to assist people with disabilities, including those with intensive support needs, to purchase their own homes. This trend is part of a broader shift away from traditional, agency-controlled services. Speakers from the United States and England reviewed the lessons they have learned from various home ownership initiatives in their respective countries. Additionally, major barriers to home ownership, exemplary practices, public and private sector partnerships which link the home mortgage and social service industries, and individualized funding policy implications, were discussed.	Jay Klein (U.S.A.)   John O'Brien - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Ken Simons (England)
Poverty and Disability (Access Level 1)	One of the great ironies of the human service approach to meeting needs is that at the same time billions of dollars are spent on costly systems of "care", people with disabilities themselves live impoverished lives. This session explored the systemic causes of poverty and the impact that poverty has on people's everyday lives.	Tom Nerney (U.S.A.)   David Oaks (U.S.A.)   Trevor Parmenter - Moderator (Australia)   Doreen Rosimos (U.S.A.)
Getting a Life: A Partnership Among an Individual with a Significant Cognitive Disability, His Family, and Housemates (Access Level 1)	Ann and Rud Turnbull, their son J.T, and his two housemates, Anne Guthrie and Richard Gaeta, chronicled the path they have taken together to enable J.T., a young man with complex needs and challenging behaviors, to "get a life". Some of the issues discussed included how J.T. has been assisted to own his own home, get a job, participate in meaningful community activities and develop real friendships. The Turnbull's also shared their family's vision of the future.	Richard Gaeta (U.S.A.)   Anne Guthrie (U.S.A.)   Jackie Maniago - Moderator (Canada)   Ann & Rud Turnbull (U.S.A.)   JT Turnbull (U.S.A.)
Measuring Success - Findings from International Research Studies (Section B) (Access Level 1)	For many people, research findings can sometimes be hard to understand. In this session, presenters shared in a straightforward way what their research findings are saying about how successfully individualized funding and self-determination initiatives are being implemented in different countries around the world. The role of users of services in the evaluation process was also discussed.	Estina Thompson (U.S.A.)   Jane Tilly (U.S.A.)   Chris Horrocks - Moderator (Canada)
Direct Payments in the United Kingdom (Access Level 2)	Presenters discussed the origins and impact of Direct Payments in the lives of people with a disability in the United Kingdom, as well as the limitations, threats, and opportunities that still have to be faced.	Andrew Bright (England)   Jackie Golden - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Jan Thurlow (England)  Patsy Holland (England)
The Role of Labour Unions (Access Level 3)	A major role of human service unions is to advance the interests of workers. However, a natural tension exists between worker interests, the needs of service providers and the goals of mechanisms like individualized funding. This session explored these tensions and the broader implications that unions have for people with disabilities, providers and support workers.	Michael Bleasdale (Australia)   Dan Collins (Canada)   Christine Gordon - Moderator (Canada)   George Heyman (Canada)   Meg Kane (USA)   Patrice Pratt (Canada)
Individualized Funding: A Pre-Requisite for Citizenship (Access Level 2)	This session discussed what individualized funding is and isn't, how it differs from traditional funding approaches, and the empowering role it plays in the lives of people with disabilities.	Cam Crawford (Canada)   Brendan Crumpton (Australia)   Chester Finn - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Jean Tuller (U.S.A.)

 

Concurrent sessions Sunday, July 30, 2000
Title	Summary	Presenters
Defining the Role of the Service / Support Broker (Access Level 3)	Because people with disabilities sometimes require assistance in order to plan for and secure appropriate services, they must have access to independent planning supports that are flexible and accountable. This session critically examined the role of service / support brokerage, including: what values and principles must form the foundation for the brokerage function? In what context should brokers operate? What is best practice?	Michael Bach (Canada)   Ric Crowley (U.S.A.)   Andrew Holman - Moderator (England)   Brian Salisbury (Canada)
Avoiding the Same Mistakes: Individualized Funding & Direct Payments in Developing Countries (Access Level 2)	There is a fear that as more public funding becomes available in developing countries, they will make the same mistakes that wealthier countries have made in the past and create paternalistic and inefficient services that control the lives of people with disabilities. Presenters discussed how developing countries can use direct payments to assist people with disabilities to determine their own futures and how they want to be supported in the community, thus learning from history, rather than repeating it.	Alicia Contreras (Mexico)   Annibal C. de Amorim (Brazil)   Chris Horrocks - Moderator (Canada)   Roberto Leal (Nicaragua)
A Public Policy Priority: Balancing the Use of Individualized Funding and Traditional Block Funding (Access Level 3)	Even in a demand driven approach, it is highly unlikely that all services will be funded through the use of individualized budgets. Indeed the question of which services and supports can still be more effectively and efficiently delivered through traditional funding arrangements remains a largely unaddressed policy issue. This session explored the costs and benefits of blending various funding mechanisms to ensure that all services remain both responsive and cost efficient.	Laney Bryenton (Canada)   Chas Mosley (U.S.A.)   Trevor Parmenter (Australia)   Michelle Sures - Moderator (U.S.A.)   David Young (Canada)
Inclusive Policy Making and the Politics of Change (Access Level 2)	Clearly, professionals and policy-makers should not introduce initiatives intended to promote self-determination or individualized funding without the agreement and involvement of the people they are intended to assist. And users of services are unlikely to make real progress without the cooperation of professionals and policy-makers. So, how can effective partnerships be formed, with people with disabilities having "a real say" in how any process of change takes place? Presenters - from both sides - shared their views and experiences.	Christine Gordon (Canada)   Rocky Rothrock (U.S.A.)   Sue Swenson (U.S.A.)   Anita Yuskauskas - Moderator (U.S.A.)
Social Capital: What is it and How is it Created? (Access Level 3)	More and more theorists see the creation and use of social capital as the foundation of a sustainable economy and civil society. It has been described as the glue that holds our communities together. Social capital can be defined as the trust and reciprocity that forms in our relationships. Its presence increases people's ability to solve problems that cannot be addressed by individuals working in isolation. This workshop explored practices of social entrepreneurs that generate social capital.	Vicki Cammack (Canada)   Al Etmanski (Canada)   Faye Wetherow - Moderator (Canada)
Balancing Personal Freedom Against Public Accountability (Access Level 2)	People who receive individualized funding want as much freedom as possible when it comes to spending their money. Government, on the other hand, has to balance this expectation with its obligations to ensure that public funding is spent in a cost efficient and accountable manner. Inevitably, some recipients feel that the state exceeds its authority by placing unreasonable limits of personal freedoms. Speakers provided an overview of the different issues that impact this vexing problem including legal considerations, competing professional and system perspectives and social priorities. What has been tried to date and what has worked/not worked, was also explored.	Patsy Holland (England)   Joe Marrone (U.S.A.)   David Martin (Canada)   Ken Simons - Moderator  (U.K.)
Two Steps Forward . . . or Two Steps Back? The History of Individualized Funding in British Columbia (Access Level 2)	Widespread implementation of individualized funding requires that the legitimate concerns of various stakeholders including different disability groups, families, service providers, unions, professionals and government be addressed. The history of individualized funding in BC provides a unique opportunity to examine how the process of system transformation has unfolded in this Canadian province over the last 24 years. In this session, advocates discussed their experiences, the lessons learned, and the next steps they will take in this process.	Dan Collins (Canada)   Jo Dickey (Canada)   Paul Gauthier (Canada)   David Wiens (Canada)
Staying in Charge of Personal Supports and Services (Access Level 1)	Everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect, while being supported in ways that meet their unique individual needs. Drawing upon their experiences, individuals and family members shared how they work successfully with personal assistants and provider agencies to remain in control of this process.	Roger Jones (Canada)   Doreen Rosimos (U.S.A.)   Simon Stevens (England)   Dennis Harkins - Moderator (U.S.A.)
Individualized Funding in Australia (Access Level 2)	Presenters reviewed the history and use of Individualized Funding in Australia, including an analysis of future challenges.	Eddie Bartnik (Australia)   Michael Bleasdale (Australia)   Fran Forbes (Australia)   Phillip Ripper (Australia)   Roger Stancliffe - Moderator (Australia)
Measuring Success - Findings from International Research Studies (Section A) (Access Level 1)	For many people, research findings can sometimes be hard to understand. In this session, presenters discussed in a straightforward way what their research findings are saying about how successfully individualized funding and self-determination initiatives are being implemented in different countries around the world. The role of users of services in the evaluation process was also discussed.	James Conroy (U.S.A.)   Lyle Romer - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Tim Stainton (Wales)
Employment Issues Facing Adults With Disabilities (Access Level 2)	The "Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities" has been holding a series of public meetings throughout the United States. This session used a Town Hall format to explore the relationship between the work of the Task Force and the conference's two central themes of self-determination and individualized funding.	Becky Ogle - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Fred Schroeder (U.S.A.)   Sharon Shreet (U.S.A.)   Jean Tuller (U.S.A.)   Bob Williams (U.S.A.)   Diana Koreski (USA)   Dave N. Brown (U.S.A.)
Honoring the Choices that People Make (Access Level 1)	It is commonly assumed that people with disabilities, and especially people with profound intellectual impairments, are not competent to make decisions in the same way that people without disabilities can, resulting in limits being placed on their citizenship opportunities. In this session, presenters shared their personal experiences in trying to get services and professionals to honor and support the choices of people with disabilities. Using stories and audience participation, guidelines for effectively assisting personal decision-making and control were identified.	Meg Kane (U.S.A.)   Alistair Law (Scotland)   Jackie Maniago (Canada)   Liz Obermayer - Moderator (U.S.A.)
The History of the Self-Determination Movement in the United States (Access Level 2)	This session provided a historical overview of Self-Determination in the US, particularly as it relates to the various state initiatives for people with developmental disabilities that have been funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Presenters analyzed the political, economic and social variables that are having, or will have, an impact on these developments.	Ellen Cummings (U.S.A.)   Mike Head - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Tia Nelis (U.S.A.)   Tom Nerney (U.S.A.)
Direct Funding and the Independent Living Movement (Access Level 2)	This session provided an overview of developments from around the world in individualized funding / direct payments for people with physical disabilities.	Raffaello Belli (Italy)   Nancy Breitenbach  - Moderator (France)   Laurie Powers (U.S.A.)

concurrent sessions Sunday, July 30, 2000
Title	Summary	Presenters
Cash and Counseling Demonstration Projects in the United States (Access Level 3)	In "cash and counseling" projects, cash allowances, coupled with information services, are paid directly to disabled persons allowing them to arrange and purchase the services they feel best meet their needs.  In this session, presenters reviewed the results of this emerging consumer-directed health care model among the aging and disability communities in the US.	Estina Thompson (U.S.A.)   Jane Tilly (U.S.A.)   Linda Velgouse (U.S.A.)
Lessons from History (Access Level 2)	Fashions in thinking in the disability field seem to come and go almost as fast as on the catwalks. This session considered questions such as: Are concepts like self-determination and citizenship for people with disabilities anything more than just the latest fashion? And if they are, how can we make sure they deliver more than just jargon, jobs for professionals, and an excuse to hold another conference?	Tim Stainton (Wales)   Faye Wetherow - Moderator (Canada)
Users' Experiences of Different Payment and Third Party Support Arrangements (Section B) (Access Level 1)	In this session, people who use individualized funding shared their personal experiences on the use of various forms and methods of direct payments, as well as third party support arrangements such as Microboards and fiscal intermediaries.	Paul Gauthier (Canada)   Val McCarthy (Northern Ireland)   Joseph Theriault - Moderator (Canada)   Jan Thurlow (England)
Distributing Individualized Funding (Access Level 3)	This session examined some of the many ways in which money, based on individualized budgets, is currently being distributed. Speakers with extensive experience in IF systems analyzed the costs/benefits of these different payment methods.	Eddie Bartnik (Australia)   Mary Romer - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Andrew Holman (U.K.)   Ana Vincente (Canada)
Ensuring Choice and Control for People with Profound Intellectual Impairments  (Access Level 1)	Using their own experiences, speakers challenged the common assumption that some people, because of the profound nature of their disability, must be left behind in the quest to achieve personal choice, control and citizenship.	Brendan Crumpton (Australia)   Patricia McGill Smith (U.S.A.)   Michelle Sures (U.S.A.)   Georgia Toevs - Moderator (Canada)
Building a Common Agenda  (Access Level 2)	Speakers from different user groups discussed  the benefits and difficulties associated with developing a common agenda for action. Practical approaches for creating a shared vision through the use of strategic alliances were also covered.	Judi Chamberlin (U.S.A.)   Christine Gordon - Moderator (Canada)   Mary McKnew (U.S.A.)   Constance Miller (U.S.A.)   Diane Richler (Canada)
Capacity, Consent and the Law (Access Level 3)	The opportunities and problems presented by different legal conceptions of "capacity" and "consent" were discussed in this session. Developments in different jurisdictions were also reviewed, and speakers identified a legal and human rights framework that, if adopted, could broaden our understanding of what "capacity" and "consent" can mean in everyday practice, thus extending greater decision-making opportunities to all people, regardless of the nature or type of their disability.	Catherine Bewley (England)   Al Etmanski (Canada)   Marcia Rioux (Canada)   Roger Stancliffe - Moderator (Australia)
What We've Been Learning About the Use of Personal Plans (Access Level 2)	Creating a plan that clearly describes what the person wants to achieve and experience in life and what supports they need in order to live the life they desire is essential if services are to respond appropriately. Presenters in this session described, using real life examples, their approach to person-centered planning and the important lessons they have been learning.	Ellen Cummings (U.S.A.)   P. Sue Kullen (U.S.A.)   Susan Powell - Moderator (Canada)   David Wetherow (Canada)
Individualized Funding and Service Brokerage in Canada (Access Level 2)	Beginning with a description of the individualized funding and service brokerage model developed by the Woodlands Parent Group in 1976, this session combined a historical perspective with the use personal stories to illustrate how these approaches have evolved in Canada.	Michael Bach (Canada)   Jo Dickey (Canada)   Roger Jones (Canada)   Bruce Uditsky (Canada)
Compromise and Corruption: How to Keep Moving Ahead on the Road to Citizenship (Access Level 2)	Progress towards self-determination and citizenship, and the creation of individualized funding systems, is likely to be challenged at every step. How can we make sure that our ideals don't get lost in the 'real world' of small steps, trade-offs, and compromises? In this session, presenters discussed the lessons and guidelines learned from their own experience of implementing system change.	Nancy Weiss (USA)   Bill Gaventa (U.S.A.)   Jackie Maniago (Canada)   Dan Collins - Moderator (Canada)
Self-Determination Initiatives in the USA (Section A) (Access Level 2)	The US self-determination movement, with its focus on the principles of freedom, authority, support and responsibility, has been underway for the past decade. Session presenters shared what their respective states are doing to promote self-determination for people with disabilities.	Dana Charlton (U.S.A.)   Mike Head (U.S.A.)   Chas Mosley - Moderator  (U.S.A.)
Deciding Who Gets What  (Access Level 3)	This session aimed to develop a set of principles that can guide Governments to allocate individualized funding in an equitable and cost efficient manner. Various presenters, including government representatives, provided an inside look at why and how the "state" typically makes certain types of fiscal allocations, while a user of individualized funding responded to the various decision-making frameworks that were presented.	John Agosta (U.S.A.)   Michael Callahan (U.S.A.)   Cam Crawford - Moderator (Canada)   David Martin (Canada)   David Young (Canada)
Claims on Power (Access Level 2)	There is little doubt that all the main players in an individualized funding system need to have some level of power, but their claims on power may conflict. This session explored the meaning of, and need for, power from the perspective of four stakeholder groups: people with disabilities; service providers; professionals and government.	Michael Bleasdale (Australia)   Andrew J. Imparato (U.S.A.)   Joe Marrone (U.S.A.)   John O'Brien - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Sue Swenson (U.S.A)

concurrent evening sessions Sunday, July 30, 2000
Title	Summary	Presenters
Guidelines for Allocating Individualized Funding - Making Sure it's Fair (Access Level 2)	As with all public funding, individualized funding does not come with a blank cheque. Fairness and justice for people with disabilities wishing to use IF will very much depend on 'how' and 'why' Governments make allocation decisions involving the use of scarce public resources. This interactive session explored the principles for allocating IF developed in the earlier conference session, 'Deciding Who Get What', by looking at their potential application in two different contexts -   a major urban center in Canada with a number of block funded agencies for people with intellectual disabilities, and direct funding of attendant care services for people with physical disabilities in the United Kingdom. This session aimed to further develop these funding principles / guidelines so that they might apply in a range of policy and service environments, and across disability groups.	Chris Taylor (England)   Ana Vincente (Canada)   Sue Jackson -  Moderator - (Australia)
Self-Determination and Individualized Funding in My Life  (Access Level 1)	Using an informal town hall format, people with disabilities and family members from around the world presented short statements describing the meaning and importance of self-determination in their lives.	Moderators: Denise Marshall & Liz Obermayer (U.S.A.)
Creating an International Organization to Promote Individualized Funding and Self-Determination (Access Level 2)	This session was intended to be of interest to people with disabilities, family members, professionals, academics and policy makers  interested in formalizing their support for the broader adoption and implementation of individualized funding and self-determination around the world.  Participants discussed various issues including whether such an organization was really needed, the possible structure of an international organization, how it might operate and what the next steps might look like.	Gary Bourlet (U.K.)   Steve Dowson - Moderator (England)   Andrew J. Imparato (U.S.A.)   Michelle Sures (U.S.A.) Brian Salisbury (Canada)   Catherine Bewley (England)   Nancy Weiss (U.S.A.)
Health Care Financing Administration Update (Access Level 3)	The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Olmstead case has prompted the states and federal government to begin to develop more accessible, cost-effective community-based services and supports to enable people with disabilities to live in integrated settings most appropriate to their needs. In addition to updating participants about federal activities related to the Olmstead decision, this session provided an opportunity for the Health Care Financing Administration to listen to stakeholders. Participants, who were encouraged to bring their Medicaid Waiver questions, also had an opportunity to learn more about, and give input into, HCFA's Medicaid self-determination work plan.	Moderators: Jean Tuller & Terry Pratt (U.S.A.)

concurrent sessions Monday, July 31, 2000
Title	Summary	Presenters
Three 'Prospectors Groups' worked during the conference to develop statements for the Seattle 2000 Declaration that was presented to the whole conference in the closing plenary.  Each group, in addition to exploring self-determination and individualized funding, focused on a number of other specific themes and issues (see below).
Discussing the Declaration: "Money & Power" (Access Level 2)	This 'Prospector Group' presented statements developed as a result of their focus on "Money & Power".   Participants had an opportunity to hear and debate the statements in draft, and to help formulate the final version.	Facilitator: Laurie Powers (USA)   Prospectors: Jackie Downer (England), Michael Bleasdale (Australia), Michael Bach (Canada), Chester Finn (USA) & Jackie Maniago (Canada)
Discussing the Declaration: "Standards & Results"  (Access Level 2)	This 'Prospector Group' presented statements developed as a result of their focus on "Standards & Results" .   Participants had an opportunity to hear and debate the statements in draft, and to help formulate the final version.	Facilitator: Bruce Uditsky (Canada)   Prospectors: Rocky Rothrock (USA), Jane Tilly (USA). Sue Swenson (USA), David Martin (Canada) & Alicia Contreras (Mexico)
Discussing the Declaration: "Helps & Hindrances" (Access Level 2)	This 'Prospector Group' presented statements developed as a result of their focus on "Helps & Hindrances".  Participants had an opportunity to hear and debate the statements in draft, and to help formulate the final version.	Facilitator: Judi Chamberlin (USA)   Prospectors: Theresa Rankin (USA), Jackie Golden (USA), Philip Ripper (Australia), Roger Jones (Canada) & Tim Stainton (Wales)
Networking For Change: A chance to choose your own discussion topic (Access level 1)	This 'Open Space' session gave people a chance to talk through issues that were puzzling them, test out their ideas with others, or make plans with other people from their home area. Participants had an opportunity to drop in and join one of the clusters of people already in discussion, or flag a topic they wanted to talk about with others.	Judith Snow - Moderator (Canada)
Can We Trust Consumerism to Make IF Work for Fund-Holders? (Access Level 3)	It has been argued that there is no need for government to interfere in markets that are ruled by consumers - that consumer power alone will guarantee safe, high quality services. This session explored questions such as: Does the theory hold true in social services? If not, can service providers be regulated without undermining the freedom of those who use their services?	Dale Dutton (U.S.A.)   Ken Simons (England)   Ric Crowley - Moderator (U.S.A.)
Training and Support Issues in the Self-Management of Individualized Funding (Access Level 2)	People who use individualized funding must successfully meet a number of legal and policy requirements, as well as deal with practical day to day issues that result from managing support staff. This session provided an overview of two different self-management training and support programs for users.	John Agosta (U.S.A.)   Paul Gauthier (Canada)   Tia Nelis (U.S.A.)   Susan Sygall - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Joseph Theriault (Canada)   James Meadours (U.S.A.)
National Advocacy Efforts to Implement Individualized Funding: What Lessons Have Been Learned? (Access Level 2)	Efforts to implement alternative-funding mechanisms invariably meet with resistance from stakeholder groups who wish to maintain the status quo. In this session, presenters analyzed grass roots strategies in a number of countries where successful attempts have been made to lobby for, and implement, individualized funding and identified the lessons that advocates have learned.	Jo Dickey (Canada)   Chas Mosley (U.S.A.)   Diane Richler - Moderator (Canada)   Phillip Ripper (Australia)
Self-Determination Initiatives in the USA (Section B) (Access Level 2)	The US self-determination movement, with its focus on the principles of freedom, authority, support and responsibility, has been underway for the past decade. Presenters in this session shared what their respective states are doing to promote self-determination for people with disabilities.	Dennis Harkins (U.S.A.)   Jeffrey Johnson   Beth Hougen   Tom Nerney - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Phil Smith (U.S.A.)   Carol Warner (U.S.A.)
Microboards: An Option in Person Centered Support and Individualized Funding (Access Level 2)	A Microboard is a small, closely connected group consisting of family and/or friends that join with a person to create a unique and intimate support service. This presentation described what a Microboard is, how they are developed, and the impact that they have in the lives of all the people involved. Representatives from areas where Microboards have been recently introduced also discussed the process they have gone through to introduce this option.	Roslyn Dougherty (Northern Ireland)   P. Sue Kullen (U.S.A.)   Hollie McDonald (Canada)   Sherry McDonald (Canada)   Linda Perry (Canada)
Learning to Listen (Access Level 1)	It's impossible to have control over your own life if you can't get people to understand what you want. They'll have to interpret or guess, and they may guess wrong - or not even try to listen. Presenters in this session reviewed the developments of technologies and skills to assist communication, and the values that must underpin them. This session also featured a widely acclaimed, 10 minute video by Melanie Maxwell entitled 'Please Don't Call Me Non-Verbal' which examines various forms of augmentative communication.	Melanie Maxwell (Canada)   Susan Powell - Moderator (Canada)   Charity Rowland (U.S.A.)
The Role of Intermediary Service Organizations (Access Level 3)	People with disabilities sometimes require technical supports with various tasks such as hiring and managing staff, and making payroll and income tax deductions.  This session provided a comprehensive look at the different types of intermediary service organizations (ISOs) that are currently available to assist with these "employer of record" responsibilities.  Some of the experiences and lessons that have been learned in providing these support services were also covered.	Sue Flanagan (U.S.A.)   Georgia Toevs - Moderator (Canada)
Service / Support Brokers Can Make a Difference (Access Level 2)	Sometimes having individualized funding is not enough - people want and need independent technical support in the process of developing and implementing their personal plans. In this session a person with a disability and a parent, along with two brokers, shared their experiences of how this form of support has helped to make a positive difference.	Andrew Holman (England)   Alistair Law (Scotland)   Arlene Schouten (Canada)   Ellen Cummings - Moderator (U.S.A.)
Direct Payments and the Italian Experience (Access Level 2)	This session reviewed the history and usage of Direct payments in Italy, including an analysis of past strategies, current achievements and future challenges.	Raffaello Belli (Italy)   Keith Pennock - Moderator (Canada)

concurrent sessions Monday, July 31, 2000
Title	Summary	Presenters
Real Work for Real Pay (Access Level 1)	Working in a real job, for real pay, is one of the most important factors that determine whether a person feels that they have a rich and satisfying quality of life. This session explored how individualized funding is being used in various countries to assist people with disabilities to find employment that they really want, including creating their own small businesses.	Christina Schell (U.S.A.)   Joanne Schell (U.S.A.)   Darcy Smith (U.S.A.)   Leslie Smith - Moderator (U.S.A.)
Networking For Change: A chance to choose your own discussion topic (continuation) (Access Level 1)	This 'Open Space' session gave people a chance to talk through issues that were puzzling them, test out their ideas with others, or make plans with other people from their home area. Participants had an opportunity to drop in and join one of the clusters of people already in discussion, or flag a topic they wanted to talk about with others.	Judith Snow - Moderator (Canada)
Self-Determination and Cultural Differences (Access Level 2)	The ideal of self-determination fits easily into the dominant culture of western nations. But it may be less familiar, and perhaps less acceptable, in other countries and within minority ethnic communities in western nations. This session explored the need to re-consider self-determination, both as a goal and as a measure of successful outcomes, from this perspective.	Susan Sygall (U.S.A.)   Ryo Takahashi (Japan)   Chris Horrocks - Moderator (Canada)
Employment and the Law: Uses and Problems (Access Level 2)	Using individualized funding to manage support staff generally means that a person with a disability must become the "employer of record". In this session, the complex legal issues and responsibilities that employment laws and labor standards create for the consumer were examined.	Michael Callahan (U.S.A.)   Dana Charlton - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Roslyn Dougherty (Northern Ireland)   Linda Perry (Canada)
The Impact that Language has on Personal Empowerment and System Change (Access Level 3)	The language which social movements use to describe their aims contain important, but sometimes hidden, messages. This session critically examined various questions, including: What does the language of this movement - terms such as 'self-determination', 'consumer-direction', 'rights', and 'independence' - say about the goal and ownership of change?   Is there a common goal that unites us?	Harlan Hahn (U.S.A.)   Jay Klein - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Marcia Rioux (Canada)
Seeing From Within: Self-Determination and The Gift of Leadership (Access Level 3)	Joseph Campbell once wrote "If we are ever to give any gift to the world, it will come out of our own experience and fulfillment of our potentialities, not someone else's". This session explored the significance of these words, while engaging participants who desire to support and serve others in learning to look at their imaginative capacity and leadership gifts. The presenters also related these concepts to everyday life, work and post-secondary education and training.	Dennis Harkins (U.S.A.)   Susan Powell (Canada)   Vicki Cammack - Moderator (Canada)
Towards the Development of an Integrated Funding Model (Access Level 3)	Individualized funding of disability supports comprises one of several financing streams that need to be coordinated to ensure the socio-economic inclusion, human rights and well being of people with disabilities. This discussion explored a comprehensive approach to IF which takes into account key issues, such as:  a) ensuring that needed disability supports are in place irrespective of type of disability, personal income, gender, age or other issues of diversity; b) ensuring that basic living needs are covered for people not fully employed in jobs that return decent wages; c) robust community capacity to support full inclusion and participation, and d) priority issues which need further examination, knowledge-development and research to move IF from theory into practice.	Cam Crawford (Canada)
But Does it Really Work? Issues in Evaluating Programs that Promote Self-Determination (Access Level 3)	Even if we are willing to support individualized funding and self-determination because we believe they are right and good, others will demand proof. This session looked at how the broader goal of self-determination can be translated, through appropriate research and evaluation methods, into measurable results that can provide convincing - and honest! - evidence of real-life benefits.	James Conroy  &  Anita Yuskauskas (U.S.A.)
Individualized Budgeting: Implications for Policy and Practice (Access Level 2)	This session was aimed at people with disabilities, family members, professionals, service providers, and government policy makers who are interested in transforming policy and service delivery structures in their own communities. Using the ideas generated at the conference, facilitators with a background in individualized funding helped participants to think practically about how they can begin to adopt, or improve, local system change initiatives based on the process of developing individualized budgets for people with disabilities.	Facilitators: David Wiens (Canada) & Chas Mosley (U.S.A.)
Bringing it all Back Home (Access level 1)	This Conference gave people many new ways to think about individualized funding and self-determination. It also provided new tools for organizing - the Seattle 2000 Declaration, a Conference Report, and a network of people to link with around the world. This session enabled participants to talk about how to apply the experience and the tools of the Conference to the work they are doing in their own communities. People explored what they learned, how to tell others about it and how to keep the spirit of the Conference alive when they return home.	Christine Gordon - Moderator (Canada)
Threats to Citizenship (Access Level 2)	Much of the conference focused on the better prospects and higher hopes that are emerging at the beginning of a new Millennium. But there is another side to the story. There are forces at work in our societies that increase the vulnerability, disadvantage, and isolation of citizens who have disabilities, and some of these forces are growing stronger. People with disabilities continue to be denied the qualities of life enjoyed by other citizens, including access to employment, good housing, health care, financial security, and protection and freedom under the law. There are still service agencies that are indifferent to the rights and needs of the people they are paid to serve. In addition there are specific threats, including the forced use of drugs and electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), physical restraint, the possible re-emergence of policies in favor of large congregate services, and the development of medical and custodial care models within community-based services. This session reviewed these threats, and considered what might be done to remove them.	David Oaks (U.S.A.)   Keith Pennock (Canada)   Celeste Campbell - Moderator (U.S.A.)
Beyond Consumer Power: Other Strategies to Support Self-Determination (Access Level 2)	Many people believe individualized funding will create the freedom for each person to live the kind of life they want in their communities. However, another view holds that IF is insufficient to assure that people with substantial disabilities will have the supports they need to move from the margins into full citizenship. This session explored the need for a longer-term process of culture change known as community engagement and the strategies that can be used to increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to contribute to community life and enjoy wider and deeper relationships with others.	John O'Brien (U.S.A.)   Dan Collins - Moderator (Canada)
Users' Experiences of Different Payment and Third Party Support Arrangements (Section A)  (Access Level 1)	In this session, people who use individualized funding shared their personal experiences on the use of various forms and methods of direct payments, as well as third party support arrangements such as Microboards and fiscal intermediaries.	Betty Johnston (U.S.A.)   Margie and Earl Griffith (U.S.A.)   Kari Cunningham-Rosvik (U.S.A.)   Ginger Kwan (U.S.A.)   Lyle Romer - Moderator (U.S.A.)   Kristin Rytter (U.S.A.)

 

SPECIAL MEETINGS
Saturday, July 29, 2000
Self-Determination  for Persons with Developmental  Disabilities Project Directors' Meeting	Facilitator: Chas Moseley (USA)
Sunday, July 30, 2000
USA Self-Determination Summit Follow-Up Meeting Participants from the National Leadership Summit on Self-Determination, Consumer Direction and Control held in Bethesda, Maryland in 1999, participated in a luncheon meeting to review Summit follow-up activities and discuss next steps in building a cross-disability self-determination community.	Facilitators:    Judi Chamberlin (U.S.A.), Chas Moseley (U.S.A.) & Laurie Powers (U.S.A.)