There are five principles of self-determination: Freedom, Authority, support, Responsibility and Confirmation.

Support is organizing people in your life in a way that is meaningful. Perhaps you have all paid professionals and staff and programs dictating how you will run your life now. With self-determination, you have a group of personally chosen people, mostly whom are unpaid, who come together and support you. More than just your friends and family, support team members come from every walk of life. They may be from the business community, if you are interested in being employed or self-employed. They may come from the financial community to assist you with your individualized budget. They may come from organizations that support areas that interest you. Your team meets regularly to review your plan and pursue your goals.

My Circle of Support helps you to choose those people who are truly meaningful in your life to be on your support team. You choose who, when, where and how you want to be treated.

► The role of the support person