Simon Duffy gave this presentation at the final conference of the UNIC Project, in Brussels in September 2023, providing an overview of personal budgets and the challenges ahead.
4. Personal
budgets
It is probably not good that
of all the necessary
changes required to create
systems that advance
citizenship get called
”personal budgets” and it
may be better to think of
the system of “self-directed
support” that is required.
5. Look
Upstream
We must develop solutions
that create true sustainability.
This means thinking about
what drives people into crisis
and leads to institutional
responses.
6. Evolving
design
People with disabilities and
their allies have been
developing better systems
for 58 years. There’s a lot we
know. There are also many
things we don’t know and
many new challenges that
are emerging.
7. Innovation
Innovation – or creativity – is natural
when people have the means to
shape solutions to their needs.
Communities also need to innovate
to ensure everyone is included,
connected and values. And
professionals need to develop
support solutions that make sense.
8. Citizenship
Our ultimate goal must be to help each
other be better citizens. Citizenship is the
only sustainable way to build inclusive
communities and realize our rights.
9. Learn together
We must work together to share and improve our
learning about what really helps. Check out the SDS
Network Global Standards:
https://selfdirectedsupport.org
And sign up to join the Network for Free