Everybody has different needs, interests, and aspirations. Having the freedom to pursue activities that bring us joy is important. The ability to set personal goals and make decisions is key to self-determination. That’s why California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) helps cover the costs of beneficial, rewarding activities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Whether you want to get a job, travel, or learn something new, you can get started with the help of SDP funds. Let’s explore some activities and opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities that support self-determination.
Quick Review: What is Self-Determination?
Self-determination is the idea that people with disabilities can make choices about their own lives.
In the past, many people with disabilities had limited opportunities to choose how to live their lives. Medical professionals, caregivers, and other support systems may have made a lot of decisions for adults with disabilities.
Even when families and caregivers have good intentions and ideas, they’re not mind readers. No one knows a person’s goals, wishes, and wants better than that person themselves.
Self-determination is all about deciding what you want to do – then going out and doing it.
Person-centered planning gives people with developmental and intellectual disabilities more control over how they spend their time, energy, and money. It prioritizes their expressed goals and interests so they can have more agency and independence. The ultimate goal is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same freedom to find fulfillment in life as anyone else.
California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) allows people with disabilities to use an allocated budget for specific resources, services, and activities to support their independence and quality of life. While there are some limits, there are plenty of worthwhile activities that SDP funding can support.
7 Self-Determination Activities for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
There are many ways to support the value of self-determination through educational, assistive, and recreational activities. For those enrolled in the SDP, financial support can help pay for all kinds of tools and enjoyable experiences that help people with disabilities get the most out of life.
We’ve made a short list of some great self-determination activities that the SDP can help pay for. Let’s take a look.
1. Take a Trip
Seeing and enjoying new places can be a great joy in life. Because recreational and social activities are essential for health and well-being, you can use SDP funds to pay some travel expenses. Some examples include camping equipment, transportation, or museum entry fees.
2. Visit a Career Counselor
Career counselors are professionals who provide guidance and advice for people in the workforce. For many, having a job can be a source of financial independence, self-confidence, and valuable experiences. SDP can help pay for things that support employment, such as career counseling, training, and job coaching.
3. Take a Cooking Class
Cooking is more than a valuable skill—it can be a rewarding hobby and a great way to build self-reliance. Because preparing food safely (and deliciously) supports long-term health and independence, SDP funds can pay for cooking classes, meal-planning supplies, and more.
4. Start Your Dream Business
Starting your own business is challenging, but it can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor that leads to financial independence, autonomy, and personal fulfillment. Many people launch businesses based on a skill or hobby, allowing them to make a living doing something they enjoy.
Individuals can use their SDP budget towards the costs of planning, opening, and running their own businesses.
5. Invest in Assistive Tech
Assistive technology includes all kinds of devices that help people experience their personal and professional lives. It might include things like communication aids, sensory tools, or mobility services.
Assistive technology improves a person’s overall quality of life by giving them more freedom, function, and ability to interact with the world. SDP funds can pay for assistive tech, such as specialized computers, tablets, and cell phones.
6. Hit the Gym
Physical activity of any kind is key to living a healthy, active life. Joining a rec team, getting a gym membership, or getting involved with a hiking club are some examples of fulfilling activities that can support emotional, mental, and physical health.
A personal SDP budget can help pay for a wide variety of activities that support healthy movement and sportsmanship.
7. Share Your Story
The purpose of self-determination ideals is to recognize and celebrate the unique experiences of people with disabilities. There are so many stories worth telling.
This is why California’s SDP budgets can be used for services to help people write, share, or publish their work. It can help cover writing costs, buy supplies, meetings with counselors or coaches, and much more.
Learn More About Self-Determination
There are so many ways individuals can find enrichment and enjoyment through self-determination.
The Self-Determination Program provides valuable resources, tools, and support networks for people with disabilities to make choices in the services they receive. NeuroNav can help you meet your goals with the help of independent facilitators for the self-determination program.
Book a free consultation to learn more.
