About the guide
The Self-Advocate Guide to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Services will help you:
- Advocate for yourself.
- Learn about I/DD services.
- Get ready to plan your services.
- Take the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA).
- Make your Individual Support Plan.
- Take action if your support needs aren't being met.
Your services should help you live the good life you want. We hope the guide will empower you to meet your goals.
We developed the guide with self-advocates and the Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition (OSAC). We thank them for their time and expertise.
Instruction videos and resources
The guide will help you take the lead in your services. The resources and videos will help you use the guide. We have arranged them by the chapter.
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Advocating for your needs can help you feel more confident and find your independence. This video covers chapter one.
More resources
We and our partners provide services and supports to people with I/DD and their families. These services help people live the way they want in their own communities. This video covers chapter two.
Case management entities help people access I/DD services. Staff members who will provide your case management services are:
- Services coordinators at a community developmental disabilities program (CDDP).
- Personal agents at a support services brokerage.
- Services coordinators at Children’s Intensive In-home Services or Children’s Residential Services.
More resources
We use the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA) to find what supports you need in your daily life. This video covers chapter three.
More information about the ONA
When do I do an ONA?
- Usually once a year.
- Your services coordinator or personal agent will let you know if you need to do more than one ONA in a year.
Who does my ONA?
- An ONA assessor.
- Your services coordinator or personal agent.
What questions are on the ONA?
The ONA asks you about the different parts of your life:
- How you like to communicate.
- Things you do every day.
- Things you do to take care of your home and money.
- Your behavior supports.
- Your safety and medical needs.
More resources
An Individual Support Plan is called an ISP or “the plan.” The ISP is an important part of advocating for the services and supports you want. This video covers chapter four.
More information about the ISP
An ISP helps each person plan how they want to live a good life. Each person’s ISP is different because each person is unique.
Your ISP should be about you and the good life you want. The ISP includes:
- Who and what matters most to you.
- Your activities and communities.
- Your culture or religion.
- Your communication and language needs.
- The goals you want to achieve.
- The supports you want and need to achieve your goals.
More resources
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Advocate for yourself by knowing your rights and speaking up. This video covers chapter five.
More information about your rights
I/DD services should meet your needs and help you reach your goals. You have a right to:
- Have your voice and choices respected.
- Choose who:
- Is in your life.
- Provides your care.
- Supports your decision making.
- Create an Individual Support Plan (ISP) that is focused on your idea of a good life.
More resources
Training
ODDS and OSAC are also preparing five Zoom trainings. Each one will focus on a chapter of the guide. Self-advocates will lead the trainings, supported by ODDS staff. We’ll send a message when the trainings are ready. We’ll also update this section with the meeting links and details. OSAC will also post them on their website.
Give us your feedback
We are hosting monthly self-advocate feedback sessions. These are open only to self-advocates (and those they invite to support them).
After you register, Zoom will send you a confirmation email. It will have directions to join the meetings.
We want everyone to feel welcome and safe. We will provide free support for you to participate, including:
- American Sign Language
- Spanish interpreter
- Live captioning
For other languages or supports, call ODDS at 503-945-5811 or email
dd.directorsoffice@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Please submit your request 48 hours before the meeting you will attend.
If you have questions or feedback, please email
odds.questions@odhsoha.oregon.gov.