--- title: 5 Essential Self-Determination Principles You Need to Know description: Learn how five essential self-determination principles – freedom, authority, support, responsibility, and confirmation – impact disability services. image: https://neuronav.org/hubfs/unnamed%20(21).png --- [Skip to content](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/self-determination-principles#main-content) [![nn_logo_wide_white](https://neuronav.org/hs-fs/hubfs/nn_logo_wide_white.png?width=2641&height=640&name=nn_logo_wide_white.png "nn_logo_wide_white")](https://www.neuronav.org/) - [For Individuals](https://neuronav.org/families) - [For Regional Centers](https://neuronav.org/regional-centers) - Knowledge - [Self-Determination Blog](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog) - [Events](https://neuronav.org/events) - [Newsletter Sign Up](https://neuronav.org/newslettersignup) - About Us - [Team](https://neuronav.org/about-us) - [Careers](https://careers.neuronav.org/home) - [GET STARTED](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation-main) # 5 Essential Self-Determination Principles You Need to Know ![A woman in a wheel chair](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/unnamed%20(21).png) Individuals with disabilities have the same right to happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives as those who do not have disabilities. Self-determination is a set of beliefs and practices that supports this idea and brings it to life. Many disability services, including the California Self-Determination Program, are based on the fundamental principles of self-determination. Let’s take a closer look. ## What is Self-Determination? Self-determination is all about believing in yourself. It means controlling your own goals and destiny. The attitudes and abilities that self-determination emphasizes push people to be in charge of their goals and achieve them. Your definition of self-determination can look a little different from someone else's. Some pieces of the overall meaning of self-determination might be unique to you. For example, setting your own goals might mean deciding where to work or live, or it might mean pursuing the hobbies you love.  If you live in California, you may have heard of self-determination in the context of the [Self-Determination Program](https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp/), or SDP for short. The SDP is designed to put participants in charge of their lives using creative, person-centered plans. It also embodies **core principles of self-determination.** ## 5 Principles of Self-Determination to Remember Everything the SDP does – from connecting people with hired workers to helping them join their communities – is built off a few important ideas known as self-determination principles.  According to the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD), the [five principles of self-determination](https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/08/Self-Determination-Revised2.8.16.pdf) are as follows. ### 1. Freedom You have the right to the freedom to control your life. No one else can decide where you want to live, whom you live with, or how you will spend your time other than you. You also have the freedom to choose who gets to support you. ### 2. Authority The SDP grants participants the authority to control an individual budget. You also have the power to choose which services or support options to purchase with that budget.  You are not a player on the team; you’re the leader. Your friends, family, and any hired support workers you find are there to help, but you get to make the final decision. ### 3. Support You have the right to find and secure resources and staff that help you live how you want to. Support is built into the SDP in the form of Regional Centers and your individual program plan team.  Another support option the SDP offers is the choice to work with an independent facilitator. This is a person who helps participants create their person-centered plans, maintain their budgets, and live by self-determination principles. ### 4. Responsibility Self-determination gives individuals the responsibility to use public money (granted through Medicare and Medicaid funding) wisely. It empowers you to identify and be proud of the contributions you make to your community.  ### 5. Confirmation Laying the groundwork is only one piece of the puzzle. Confirmation is an ongoing self-determination principle that says you have the right to oversee the services you want. In other words, you get to understand and verify that you play an important role in making decisions in your life.  ## NeuroNav is Your Self-Determination Hub Want to learn more about self-determination and how it can help you access even more disability resources and support than ever? [Contact NeuroNav for a free consultation](https://www.neuronav.org/contact).  Our [**independent facilitation services**](https://neuronav.org/services) can help guide you through each step of the Self-Determination Program. We also proudly practice and encourage you to incorporate the principles of self-determination into your everyday life. For more reading on [disability resources in California](https://neuronav.org/self-deterimination-hub), check out the rest of our Self-Determination Hub. ## Related Articles Dive into more topics and stories that resonate with your interests. Our handpicked articles offer a deeper look into the world of Self-Determination and beyond. [![](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/image1-3.png)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/the-self-determination-program-live-in-caregivers-what-are-your-options) [Disability Rights](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/disability-rights), [Autism](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/autism) ### [The Self-Determination Program & Live-in Caregivers: What Are Your Options?](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/the-self-determination-program-live-in-caregivers-what-are-your-options) July 23, 2024 In-home care can be an amazing resource for individuals focused on self-determination. However, accessing in-home care... [Read more](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/the-self-determination-program-live-in-caregivers-what-are-your-options) [![An autistic man lovingly holds his service dog against his chest and face.](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/67.png)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/autism-service-dogs-support) [Service Animals](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/service-animals), [Autism](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/autism) ### [How Can Autism Service Dogs Help Support My Needs?](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/autism-service-dogs-support) August 5, 2025 Dogs didn’t earn the title of “Man’s Best Friend” without learning to support the needs of those with disabilities. In... [Read more](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/autism-service-dogs-support) [![An adult with a disability smiling and taking a selfie outdoors](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/30.png)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/who-is-the-self-determination-program-best-for) [Self-Determination Program (SDP)](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/self-determination-program-sdp), [Independent Living](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/tag/independent-living) ### [Who is the Self-Determination Program Best For?](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/who-is-the-self-determination-program-best-for) February 6, 2025 Since 2013, California’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) has been an option for individuals looking to exercise more... [Read more](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/who-is-the-self-determination-program-best-for) Check all articles ### Ready to Navigate Life with Us? Embark on your Self-Determination journey with confidence. Request your free consultation with NeuroNav and discover the personalized support waiting for you. [GET STARTED](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation) Subscribe for ### Interested in More Insights? Stay in the loop with the latest from our blog. Sign up now and never miss out on empowering stories, tips, and updates. [![nn_logo_wide_electricindigo](https://neuronav.org/hs-fs/hubfs/nn_logo_wide_electricindigo.png?width=200&height=49&name=nn_logo_wide_electricindigo.png "nn_logo_wide_electricindigo")](https://neuronav.org) [info@neuronav.org](mailto:info@neuronav.org) Phone: ‪(510) 621-3408 2323 Broadway Oakland, CA 94612 - **Services** - [For Families](https://neuronav.org/families) - [For Regional Centers](https://neuronav.org/regional-centers) - **Knowledge** - [SDP Blog](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog) - [Events](https://neuronav.org/events) - **About Us** - [Team](https://neuronav.org/about-us) - [Careers](https://careers.neuronav.org/home) - [Contact Us](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NeuroNavLife) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/neuronavlife) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/neuronavlife/) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@neuronav/) [JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER](https://neuronav.org/newslettersignup) - [Terms of Service](https://neuronav.org/terms-of-service) - [Privacy Policy](https://neuronav.org/privacy) - © 2026 by Neurodiversity PBC d/b/a NeuroNav. If you have questions or concerns about NeuroNav services funded by your regional center, please visit the Department of Developmental Services website or call (916) 654-1987 for guidance on the process. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "NeuroNav Self-Determination Specialist", "url" : "https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/author/neuronav-self-determination-specialist" }, "dateModified" : "2024-04-23T16:00:00.620Z", "datePublished" : "2024-04-23T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "5 Essential Self-Determination Principles You Need to Know", "image" : [ "https://neuronav.org/hubfs/unnamed%20(21).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/self-determination-principles", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" } } } ```