Carli Friedman1, Laura VanPuymbrouck2. 1. CQL, The Council on Quality and Leadership, 100 West Road, Suite 300, Towson, MD, 21204, United States. Electronic address: cfriedman@thecouncil.org. 2. Department of Occupational Therapy, Rush University, 600 S. Paulina St., Chicago, IL, 60612, United States. Electronic address: laura_vanpuymbrouck@rush.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In recognition of the importance of services and supports that are defined and chosen by the recipient with disabilities, there has been a shift toward person-centered services. Quality person-centered services not only aim to ensure people have control over their own lives, but also to improve individually defined outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between people with disabilities (PWD) choosing their services and their quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We had two main research questions: 1) what factors predict PWD choosing their services - who was most/least likely to choose their services?; and, 2) how does choosing their services impact the QOL of PWD? To examine these questions, we analyzed Personal Outcome Measures® interviews from approximately 1100 PWD. RESULTS: Our findings have revealed that when PWD are able to choose their services, the impact can be widespread. CONCLUSIONS: By ensuring PWD are able to choose their services, organizations are not only facilitating self-determination, but, ultimately, improving PWD's QOL.
BACKGROUND: In recognition of the importance of services and supports that are defined and chosen by the recipient with disabilities, there has been a shift toward person-centered services. Quality person-centered services not only aim to ensure people have control over their own lives, but also to improve individually defined outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between people with disabilities (PWD) choosing their services and their quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We had two main research questions: 1) what factors predict PWD choosing their services - who was most/least likely to choose their services?; and, 2) how does choosing their services impact the QOL of PWD? To examine these questions, we analyzed Personal Outcome Measures® interviews from approximately 1100 PWD. RESULTS: Our findings have revealed that when PWD are able to choose their services, the impact can be widespread. CONCLUSIONS: By ensuring PWD are able to choose their services, organizations are not only facilitating self-determination, but, ultimately, improving PWD's QOL.