Self-direction is a different way of supporting people with disabilities. It makes the voice of the person with a disability the most important one for us to listen to and to respect when it comes to that person making choices about his or her life.

Self-direction gives a person with a disability more control in planning for and running his or her own life. This can be hard work because more control means more responsibility. A person is responsible when he or she makes good decisions that keep him or her happy, healthy, and safe. This may take the help of family and/or friends.

The choices a person makes are often based on the things that are most important to him or her, such as dreams for a happy life filled with friends and family, and doing things that matter. Dreams are the starting place for planning supports and services that work for each of individual as a one of a kind person.

Self-direction helps a person find a comfortable place in the community where he or she can live, work, and play in ways that he or she chooses as right. Directing one's own services, such as in consumer-directed services, is an important piece of self-direction.