'Learning Community' Discussion Paper: Self-Determination in Vermont.

A series of individual and small-group interviews on self determination for individuals with disabilities was conducted as part of the Vermont Self-Determination Project, a 3-year project to implement a statewide system change designed to allow people with developmental disabilities to have control and choice in their lives. The interviews were held with four teams, each composed of a consumer, a family member, and a service agency representative. Additional interviews were conducted with non-team project staff. Results from the interviews indicated that: (1) an important component of self-determination is individual control over lives and money; (2) self-determination must go hand-in-hand with the further development of self-advocacy; (3) it is important that agencies, families, and others work with teams to further support the growth of self-advocacy; (4) clarity is needed on areas of responsibility for individuals who elect to manage their own money through an intermediary service organization; (5) quality-of-life issues need to be examined within the context of self-determination; and (6) real choices are limited within the existing system. Success and challenges of the project and the self-determination teams are discussed. (CR)