Index of Videos
Topic: Inclusion / Independent Living / Community
Creating the Possible
In this 2015 video, a young adult shares his personal story, and how the services and supports that best meet his individual needs were identified through a person-centered planning approach.
Parallels in Time
Claudia Bolton: Continuum Thinking
Supported living specialist Claudia Bolton explains how an individual receiving "transitional" living services doesn't have to move to a new group home just because behaviors, medications, or needs change.
Housing Access Services Program
In 2007, three participants in Minnesota's Housing Access Services program described the assistance provided so that people with disabilities could move into a home of their own in the community.
I Don't Need My Walker When I Dance (Sen. John Chaffee)
In the 1980s, Rhode Island Senator John Chafee describes the goals of an inclusive community and said, "The beauty of what we are striving to create is that the needs of the individual have first priority."
Living in the Freedom World: Don
In 1997 Don Wilson, who once lived in one of Oklahoma's institutions, describes the facility's segregated environment.
Living in the Freedom World: Warren
In 1997 Warren Edds, who once lived in one of Oklahoma's institutions, describes his living there and the job he now has running a TV camera.
Community Living - Your Life, Your Way
Stories of individuals with developmental disabilities in the community, where they are making choices, hiring their own services, paying their own bills and living with whom they choose to live.
A New Way of Thinking (Complete Video)
In 1987, Minnesota agencies were finding new ways to fulfill basic human needs of people with disabilities: respect, friendship, a real home, a chance to learn and grow, and opportunity to contribute to society.
A New Way of Thinking (Closing Comments)
In 1987, the Minnesota University Affiliated Program and Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities made a call for inclusion.
Ollie: A Model of Inclusion and Integration
This 1995 video showed how a woman with intellectual disabilities has her own home, does all of the housekeeping and cooking, and has two individuals living with her that she takes care of.
The Ollie Webb Story
A 1980s-era interview with a woman committed to an institution at age 19. Once released from the institution she held a regular, meaningful job with the same employer for 17 years.
Richard Dodds on Technology
In 1990 Richard Dodds demonstrates how assistive technology helps people with disabilities (and everyone else) use everyday tools and devices more easily.
Breakfast Time
In 1995, the FX Network morning TV show "Breakfast Time" featured toys and games that are accessible and add to fun play for children of all abilities.
Tools for Life
From 1988, this video explores how technology helps people with disabilities work, learn, study, share ideas, and get from here to there.
Not On My Street
This 60 Minutes story from 1980 shows neighborhood reaction to a group home for people with disabilities. The neighbors' resistance makes it difficult to achieve the basic goals of community placement.
Including Emily Everyday
In 2012, parents of a child with Down syndrome describe efforts to ensure she was included in the community: going to birthday parties, fully included in life, and not receiving special education services.
Greta: Making Things Happen
In 2012, Greta Joshua describes how she works, travels, jokes around, speaks her mind, and acts independently. She achieved personal independence through perseverance, responsibility, and optimism.
A Vision for Abby
In 2012, Abby Loy dances, has a meaningful life, and gives back to the world she lives in. Her parents have encouraged others to see the same things and the same potential, and see Abby as a person, first.
Karen: On Her Way
In 2012, Maria Gasca, some of her friends and a teacher talk about the benefits of general ed classrooms for her daughter Karen, and the stigma in the Latino community of having a child with a disability.
Elizabeth: A Place of Her Own
In 2012, Tom and Christine Lerchen spoke of learning about inclusion when their daughter Liz was 4 years old. Now? "She works, she owns her condo, and she's not made out of china."
Bjorn, Danny & Tom: Feeling Right at Home
In 2012, Bjorn, Danny, and Tom talk about how they chose to live together. They selected their 24/7 staff, and they pursue their interests in running, physics, and stargazing. "Self-determination is our motto."
The Path to Freedom: The Road Home
In 2013, this video traced the efforts of Community Living Services aiding people with disabilities: institutions closing; living in the community; self-determination of hiring and firing service providers.
Living My Own Life: Adults with Disabilities: Becky
In this video from the 1980s, Becky demonstrates her important role as a part of the team at Zingerman's deli.
Beyond Boundaries
In 1992, an inclusive camp showed "we're not doing it as a group of kids without disabilities and a group of kids with disabilities. We're doing it as a group of friends who are trying to accomplish a goal."
Shifting Patterns Part 1
This 1992 video describes programs to help people with disabilities gain the skills, knowledge, and allies they will need to take control of their lives.
Shifting Patterns Part 2
This 1992 video describes how people with disabilities can take control of their lives through efforts such as the Voucher Program, Partners in Policymaking®, Youth Leadership, and Parents as Case Managers.
Tom Nerney: New Assumptions
In 2004, individualized services specialist Tom Nerney shared his vision of how community living for people with disabilities should look in the future.
Dr. Lou Brown: Guideposts for the future
In 1987, Dr. Lou Brown described his vision of the future: no institutions, no segregated schools, no group homes. "People living in a decent place and doing real work."
Person-Centered Thinking: Supporting Self-Determination
Interviews in 1999 with people with disabilities, their parents, and social workers about self-determination: people defining the life they want for themselves, rather than others deciding for them.
Institutions to Independence
This 2011 documentary and accompanying videos present the story of services, rights, and social justice in Minnesota through stories of people with developmental disabilities, families, and professionals.
Kathie Snow Interview
In 2013, author and parent Kathie Snow presented a series of first-hand stories about inclusion, people first language, Partners in Policymaking®, and listening to the real experts: adults with disabilities.
Public Media Forum
In 2016, Minnesota newspaper and TV reporters answered questions about media coverage of disability issues, including accurate portrayals, language, diversity, the editorial process, and law enforcement.
With an Eye to the Past
John Johnson
In 2001, John Johnson described his 55 years of living in institutions and how he now lives on his own in the community.
Professor John McKnight: Capacity Building Beyond Community Services
In 2011 and 2012, Professor John McKnight gave multi-part reviews of how people can build welcoming communities that connect and share the personal gifts, abilities and skills of people with disabilities.
Professor John McKnight: About the web site ABCDInstitute.org
In 2011, professor John McKnight said the ABCD Institute was a resource for developing strong communities that are focused on capacities and assets of individuals rather than their deficits and needs.
Professor John McKnight: Conclusion
In 2011, professor John McKnight said success as an inclusive community is closely linked to the idea of welcoming and engaging people who are at the margins in the main part of the community.
Professor John McKnight: What to say to parents who have a child who has been labeled as having disabilities?
In 2011, professor John McKnight said parents should avoid or correct anyone who is labeling their children. "Labels hurt both the person who's labeled and the person looking at the person who's labeled."
Professor John McKnight: Advice for people with disabilities on becoming part of the community
In 2011, professor John McKnight said one of the best places to become part of the community is in clubs, groups, and associations where people come together because of mutual interest.
Professor John McKnight: Describe what you mean by "Services cannot deliver well-being."
In 2011, professor John McKnight said in the old days we cared more about the well-being of our neighbors. We now substitute mutual care for something called service. Service is not care; it is a paid activity.
Professor John McKnight: What were the findings of the study program and your reaction to them?
In 2011, professor John McKnight said the source of poverty is lack of income. "If there were programs focused on increasing income rather than providing services, we could get ahead of the problems."
Professor John McKnight: Defining "community" and "neighborhood"
In 2011, professor John McKnight said a community could be geographic, like a town, or a widespread group who share interests. A neighborhood is a physical place where people feel related to each other.
Professor John McKnight: Five basic resources people use to make things better
In 2011, John McKnight said people use five things to make things better: local residents, local groups, local institutions like a school or nonprofit, the neighborhood's landspace, and local buying and selling.
Professor John McKnight: About John McKnight and the Asset-Based Community Development Institute
In 2011, professor John McKnight said the focus of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute is to help identify the assets, capacities, and gifts that make successful small communities.
Professor John McKnight: How did you become interested in neighborhoods?
In 2011, professor John McKnight said that in high school he read, purely by chance, a library book about neighborhood organizing, and that happenstance got him interested in the subject as a career.
John McKnight: Recognizing Gifts
In 2012, professor John McKnight said if you know another person, you should tell them what you think their gifts are, because usually they'll hear for the first time something about themselves they didn't know.
John McKnight: Building Associations
In 2012, professor John McKnight said people will do many, many things through their associations that they will not do individually, in part because they know it's more powerful when they do it collectively.
John McKnight: How Community Initiatives Get Started
In 2012, professor John McKnight said community initiatives get started mostly through small groups or clubs in the neighborhood, with other people who have the same kinds of interests to share.
John McKnight: The Concept of Hospitality
In 2012, professor John McKnight said hospitality of a group is the welcoming of a stranger. If you don't welcome strangers, you would lose all the gifts and skills that a stranger brings when they come in.
John McKnight: Neighborhood Maps
In 2012, professor John McKnight said most of us aren't very aware of the gifts and talents that exist among the people in our neighborhood, or how we can bring people together and make a community better.
John McKnight: The Diversity of Gifts
In 2012, John McKnight said if you wanted to do something in a community, and you began by focusing on gifts, people on their own will be doing different tasks, yet doing all the things to make it happen.
John McKnight: Gifts, Skills and Capacity
In 2012, professor John McKnight said the gifts, skills and capacities of local residents are the primary building blocks of every community-organized effort that succeeds.
John McKnight: Looking at Connectors
In 2012, professor John McKnight said all organizing, of any type, is about connecting pieces that are not connected. "That's what makes communities that work."
METO Settlement
Pamela Hoopes: Person Centered Planning
In 2012, attorney Pamela Hoopes said person-centered planning for a facility resident should include family members, to assist with problem solving, discharge planning, and making a schedule for visiting.
Pamela Hoopes: Where to Go with Questions and Concerns?
In 2012, attorney Pamela Hoopes said anyone with questions about problems they think might be going on at METO or other facilities should contact the Minnesota Disability Law Center at 1-800-292-4150.
Steve Larson: What is an Olmstead Plan?
In 2012 Steve Larson, of The Arc of Minnesota, described the Olmstead Plan is designed for individuals with disabilities 65 and under currently living in nursing homes, to help them move into the community.
Steve Larson: The Need for Sunshine and Community Inclusions
In 2012 Steve Larson, of The Arc of Minnesota, said transparency and sunshine are needed on all services for persons with disabilities. Staff, friends, and community members must be involved in their lives.
Shamus Omeara: Person Centered Planning
In 2012, attorney Shamus Omeara said person-centered planning engages people with developmental disabilities in defining goals and aspirations from their perspective, unrestricted by others.
Jim Conroy
Jim Conroy: The Start of Individual Planning
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said individual planning was a breakthrough: people wrote down what they expected from the services they were receiving, and providers were accountable.
Jim Conroy: Challenges for the Future
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said the challenge for the future is to deliver quality as defined by the individual and the kind of life they envision: opportunities, inclusion, and making choices.
Jim Conroy: Person Centered Planning and Control Over Resources
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said person-centered planning is redefining quality: having something to do that you care about, having friends, relationships, and an enjoyable job.
Jim Conroy: The Principle of Normalization in Human Services
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said normalization is the simple idea that people with and without disabilities should have access to the normal routines and rhythms of American culture.
Jim Conroy: Future Areas of Focus
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said future supports for people with disabilities will shift from health and safety issues to how to improve relationships and increase community engagement.
Jim Conroy: Principles of Quality Assurance
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said a guiding principle is that the building blocks for having a quality life are the same for people with disabilities as for people without disabilities.
Jim Conroy: Studying the Impact of Movement from the Institutions to the Community
In 2011, quality outcomes specialist Jim Conroy said when people move from institutions to regular neighborhoods, one outcome is they do more and more for themselves and need less and less help.
Positive Behavior Supports
Derrick Dufresne: Need for Action
In 2006, inclusion specialist Derrick Dufresne said that similar to turning a steering wheel on a moving car, it's easier for service providers to act when things are already in motion.
Derrick Dufresne: Queen for a Day
In 2006, inclusion specialist Derrick Dufresne said people with disabilities, like the winners of Queen for Day, are often provided with services other people think they need, instead of what they could really use.
Disability Justice
Relationships and Stereotypes
In 2012, attorney Shamus O'Meara encouraged people to focus on inclusion and use people first language to challenge the stereotypes surrounding people with disabilities.