Person-Centred Thinking and Building Social Capital Supporting an Included Life in the Community with Homes, Jobs, and Friends for People with Intellectual Disabilities Keenan Wellar, MA and Julie Kingstone, MEd Co-Founders & Co-Leaders, LiveWorkPlay.ca Starting in 2008, LiveWorkPlay embarked on a journey of “de-programming” by making a shift from congregated programs to authentic community-based, person-centred, and assets-focused thinking and processes. Beyond exciting outcomes such as first homes, first jobs, and first experiences engaging in the community with other citizens, with respect to the experience of an included life, the impact is all about the development of reciprocal relationships and interdependence (social capital).

1. Afternoon Session 6C  2:15-3:30pm, April 10, 2014
Person-Centred Thinking and Building Social Capital
Supporting an Included Life in the Community with Homes,
Jobs, and Friends for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Keenan Wellar, MA and Julie Kingstone, MEd
Co-Founders & Co-Leaders, LiveWorkPlay.ca
Starting in 2008, LiveWorkPlay embarked on a journey of “de-programming”
by making a shift from congregated programs to authentic community-based,
person-centered, and assets-focused thinking and processes. Beyond exciting
outcomes such as first homes, first jobs, and first experiences engaging in
the community with other citizens, with respect to the experience of an
included life, the impact is all about the development of reciprocal
relationships and interdependence (social capital).

2. It always seems impossible.
Until it is done.
Nelson Mandela
We can’t think differently if we
don’t change our underlying
assumptions about reality.
Michael Kendrick
Remediating  Accommodating  VALUING

3. We cannot hope to INCLUDE via
thinking and practices that focus on EXCLUSION.

4. In many jurisdictions the courts are proving the only option for people with
intellectual disabilities who want support for a non-segregated life. Is this what
will drive change in Ontario? Or will doing the right thing be motivation enough?

5. Al Condeluci http://buildingsocialcapital.org/
Interdependence Network
Helen Sanderson http://www.tlccanada.groupsite.com/
The Canadian Learning Community For
Person-Centred Practices

6. What would you say great cutting edge work
looks like today in human services?
If people with disabilities are enjoying lives
pretty much like other citizens, in terms of
work, education, home life, participation in
the community and so on, then you would
have to say that is a huge improvement in
quality of life. You judge it by the outcomes
in the lives of the people.
- Michael Kendrick

7. Most organizations in Developmental Services use statements like these.
But is this representative of what our sector is doing in practice?

8. Watch video: http://j.mp/ablastfrompast

9. What Did You Think Of Our Video? We can hardly believe it when
we watch it. Did we really build a parallel society for people with
intellectual disabilities, thinking it was the path to inclusion?

10. Popularity is not a significant or critical measurement.
We are called to a higher level of accountability.

11. The Day Program?
THAT WAS EASY!
But now…a robust
network of welcoming
people and places
that includes a home,
a job, friends, and
enjoyable things to do
in the community
with many diverse
relationships?
For EACH and EVERY
person we support?
HARD!But it’s supposed to be about doing
what is right, not what is easy…

12. Decisions = Paid Staff and/or Family
Education = Day Program/Special Education
Recreation = Segregated Program
Employment = Sheltered Work
Home = Institutional or “Special Model”
Relationships = Paid Staff and/or Family
What Are The Assumed Norms For
People With Intellectual Disabilities?

13. How did we arrive at these assumptions?
Aren’t we becoming more person-centred,
assets-focused, and community-based?

14. Thank you for choosing Acme Support Services, where we proudly
facilitate individual independence through person-centered planning!
Now, let me start by outlining the list of fixed choices available to you!

15. SCARCITY ABUNDANCE
(WHAT WE’VE LEARNED)

16. “THIS IS TUESDAY NIGHT LEAGUE BOWLING. PLEASE COME BACK ON
THURSDAY NIGHT AND SIGN UP FOR SPECIAL NEEDS BOWLING.”
BUT I’VE GOT A 180 AVERAGE!

17. THEN NOW
A job isn’t everything or the only thing. When
we talk about “employment first” and/or
“housing first” it’s not about suggesting some
sort of cure for having a disability. It’s about
valuing people with disabilities as they are,
and moving beyond the assumption that their
life will be systems and staff-oriented instead
of assets-based and community-focused.

18. Play collage
NO DAY
PROGRAM OR
WORKSHOP?
WHAT IF THEY
CAN’T FIND OR
KEEP A JOB?
WHAT WILL
THEY DO TO
FILL
THEIR
TIME?

19. (Medical Model)
Social Services
(Community Model)
Social Change
Decisions = Paid Staff and/or Family
Education = Day Program/Special Ed
Recreation = Segregated Program
Employment = Sheltered Work
Home = Institutional Setting/Special Model
Relationships = Paid Staff and/or Family
Decisions = Self-Directed (With Chosen Help)
Education = Inclusive Classrooms (All Ages)
Recreation = Playing In Community (With Diverse Others)
Employment = Work/Volunteerism (With Diverse Others)
Home = House/Condo/Apartment
Relationships = Family, Friends, Neighbours, Spouse,
Unpaid Support, Paid Support
TRANSFORMATION
A Transformative Journey

20. MORE (AND MORE
& MORE IMPORTANT)
Family
Friends
Colleagues
Co-Workers
Classmates
Neighbours
Spouse
ONLY AS NEEDED (AND
LESS & LESS IMPORTANT)
Residential Worker
Program Worker
Other Workers
Doctors
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Social Workers
HOW TO SUPPORT INCREASED SOCIAL CAPITAL
FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
(IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS)

21. Do staff want to perform like stars? Sure! But we don’t want to be your world.
(Inspired by Dave Hingsburger)

22. “Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
― Madeleine L'Engle
(A Wrinkle In Time)
My own place! A job (and cheque) I love! My football team!

23. The reality is, developmental services agencies tend to be not very skilled or practiced in
the art or science of relationships. Traditionally, their talent lies in creating and managing
programs and infrastructure. We need a different theory to get us where we need to be as
facilitators of relationships for the people we are trusted and honoured with supporting.
(Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/big-bang-friend)

24. THEORY OF CHANGE is a dialogue-based process that
generates a description of a sequence of events that is
expected to lead to a particular desired outcome’ This
description is captured in a diagram and narrative to provide a
guiding framework for the project team and stakeholders.
A theory of change starts by identifying a clear ultimate goal
and works backwards to establish preconditions for reaching
that goal. At each step any assumptions are examined. The
next step is to identify indicators. Only when these steps have
been completed are the activities or interventions identified.
In reality - often in response to a particular funding
opportunity - many agencies in the developmental
services sector (and in the non-profit community in
general) may develop programs or projects based
almost fully on unproven assumptions, and then work
to align the program with the ultimate goal promised in
the application and as required to obtain the funding.
Not exactly a best practice for human services!

25. LiveWorkPlay: Our Theory Of Change

26. What is Our Anticipated
DIRECT Impact
1) People with intellectual disabilities supported by
LiveWorkPlay will experience life as more
valued and included members of the
community
2) Family members of those supported by
LiveWorkPlay experience greater satisfaction
with regard to the life of their child
3) LiveWorkPlay partners (individuals,
organizations) experience positive changes,
benefiting from and advocating for inclusive
community

27. What is Our Anticipated
INDIRECT Impact
• Other service organizations employ improved
practices for the inclusion of people with
intellectual disabilities
• Policymakers and thought leaders envision
and enact more effective and efficient policies
and resource allocation to support the
inclusion of people with intellectual
disabilities

28. Through Direct and
Indirect Impact…
Our work is done when all persons with
intellectual disabilities can experience and
contribute to the community on an equal
basis with other citizens.

29. What is Our Anticipated
DIRECT Impact
1) People with intellectual disabilities
supported by LiveWorkPlay will
experience life as more valued and
included members of the community

30. What Activities?
What Resources?
Impact

31. On-going
Planning
Independent Living
 In-Home Supports
 Natural Supports
 Life Coaching
 Referrals to Affordable
Housing
Paid Employment
 Employment Planning
 Job Matching &
Development
 Job Coaching
 Long term maintenance
Community Participation
 Support to join
community activities and
venues and travel
 Support to volunteer
within the non-profit
sector
 Support to develop
friendships
 Friday night meet-ups
Supporters
 Family Feasts
 New Year’s Eve Party
 Auction and Golf
Tournament
 Annual Recognition
Banquet
LiveWorkPlay Supports

32. Our collaborative process: 1) develop person-centred plans based on
interests, abilities, and possibilities; 2) identify sub-communities for making
needed connections; 3) develop an understanding of sub-community
operations and expectations 4) develop individual and organizational
inclusion gatekeepers for ongoing success. We do this by supporting:
Referrals
to other
services
(income
supports,
affordable
housing,
health,
transport,)
Diversification
and
increased
participation
in ordinary
community
activities and
places with
other citizens
Diversification
and increased
community
contribution in
ordinary
activities and
places with
other citizens
Diversification
and increased
social roles
(employee,
neighbour,
friend,
spouse,
volunteer,
owner, other)
Diversification,
growth, and
maintenance
of a network of
unpaid and
reciprocal
personal
relationships
How we support people with intellectual
disabilities to experience life as more valued
and included members of the community:

33. MEMBERS BOARD
Executive
Staff
Director of
Operations
Executive
Staff
Marketing &
Communications
1
Employment
Supports (2)
Community
Connectors (3)
Living
Supports (2)
Coordinator of
Volunteers and
Support
Networks (1)
100 Volunteers
1
Supports
Coordinator
(1)
2
LIVEWORKPLAY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 2014
100+
Volunteers

35. Referrals to other services
(income supports, affordable
housing, health, transport)

36. Diversification and increased participation in
ordinary community activities and places
with other citizens

37. Diversification and increased
community contribution in ordinary
activities and places with other citizens

38. Diversification and increased social roles: employee,
neighbour, friend, spouse, volunteer, owner, other)
(Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/matt-cam)

39. Diversification, growth, and maintenance of a network of
unpaid and reciprocal personal relationships
(Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/jim-chris)

40. What is Our Anticipated
DIRECT Impact
2) Family members of those supported
by LiveWorkPlay experience greater
satisfaction with their child’s life

41. The Parent Perspective (Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/betty-kyle)

42. What is Our Anticipated
DIRECT Impact
3) LiveWorkPlay partners (individuals,
organizations) experience positive
changes, benefiting from and
advocating for inclusive community

43. Watch the video: http://bzbz.ca/Jeremy-Short

44. Tracking and Measuring Our Progress

45. http://www.helensandersonassociates.co.uk/

46. http://www.compasspoint.org/nextgenorgs
A GREAT BASIS
FOR CHALLENGING
YOUR ORGANIZATION
JUST WHEN YOU
MIGHT BE THINKING
“WOW, WE ARE AWESOME”
COMES THE REALIZATION
THAT STANDING STILL
ALWAYS RESULTS
IN ORGANIZATIONAL
DECAY. RENEWAL REQUIRES
CONSTANT VIGILANCE
AND AN ENERGY FOR
SELF-IMPROVEMENT!

47. http://www.helensandersonassociates.co.uk/

48. youtube.com/liveworkplayvideo
liveworkplay.ca
facebook.com/liveworkplayfans
twitter.com/liveworkplay
What Does The Public Know About Developmental Services?

49. We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
(Albert Einstein)

50. 50
Some of what happened - by trying!