Advocacy
Your voice helps shape the future for Alaskans with disability
Overview
Alaskans share a vision of a flexible system in which each person directors their own supports, based on their strengths and abilities, toward a meaningful life in their home, their job, and their community. Our vision includes supported families, professional staff and services available throughout the state now and into the future.
The Shared Vision Pledge
A collaborative effort to define and support a system where Alaska with developmental disabilities live meaningful lives with the support they direct. Join others in committing to a disability system that is:
- Person-directed
- Strengths-based
- Inclusive in all communities
Speak Up as a Self-Advocate
Want to testify at the legislature or a Council meeting?
- Learn how to give testimony
- Submit an online comment
- Read Public Comment Guidelines
- Contact us for preparation help: gcdse@alaska.gov
DD Shared Vision Senate Bill (SB 174)
The Council thanks the Alaska Legislature for passing SB174 in 2018, enshrining the Shared DD Vision's language within state statute, moving Alaska in a direction which will greatly improve the lives of people with disabilities by placing them in the driver's seat of their own life to live a meaningful life of their own choosing.
Priorities
Every person directs their own supports
Every person directs their own supports
Based on his or her strengths and abilities, the person receiving services will decide when, who and how services are provided. Families and other team members will help with supported decision making so that the person can direct services as much as they are able. This includes a commitment to making services available in the community where the person chooses to live as well as honoring the family’s role in the lives of children receiving services.
Services will support lives with meaning
Services will support lives with meaning
Our system helps people create lives with meaning, purpose, and inclusion as well as respecting individual choices. This will look different for each person. Opportunities for meaningful relationships and natural supports are highly valued. As Alaskans, we will support the diversity of cultures of people receiving services in our state.
Our system values the role of direct support professionals
Our system values the role of direct support professionals
Direct support professionals will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform job duties. This includes access to education and supportive supervision. A good direct support professional is engaged and assists the person to lead a meaningful self-directed life which includes helping the person develop and maintain a variety of respectful and authentic relationships.
Our system is flexible and simple
Our system is flexible and simple
Our system is responsive to needs and preferences throughout life. It is as simple and clear as possible, so individuals and families understand how to get their needs met. Information is available in a clear, concise, and consistent manner. Also, the person understands the variety of services available and is assisted as needed to make an informed choice.
Our system uses resources wisely and measures outcomes focused on quality of life
Our system uses resources wisely and measures outcomes focused on quality of life
Alaska is committed to the vision above regardless of available resources. This vision drives quality improvement. In order to ensure the system is available into the future, resources are used wisely while innovation and creative problem-solving are encouraged.
Living the Vision
The Shared Vision Pledge is about creating a disability system that puts people first. It focuses on what each person can do, what they care about, and how to help them live a full life in their community.
When people are given the chance to speak up and direct their own support, great things can happen. Below are testimonials from Alaskans whose lives changed after being part of the Shared Vision. Their experiences show how powerful it is when people are heard, respected, and supported to lead their own lives.
Vision Impact Stories
“My name is Travis Noah. The developmental disability collaborative vision has impacted my life significantly. Three years ago, I was very unsure about how to move forward with things that I wanted to do what could make my life better... When I was brought into the collaborative vision process it caused me to self-reflect on my life and how I wanted to live it.
One thing led to another and now I am a Peer Advocate for people with needs of all different types for a living. I would not be where I am today if not for the DD collaborative vision project. It has allowed me to look at my life and see how I can move forward with living the life I want with the services that I direct.”
- Travis Noah, 2019
“My name is Garrett Dominick. I am a 23-year-old Soldotna resident of Alaska. I have been receiving Medicaid services through the State of Alaska for 20 years. For years, I have been letting my support team decide what I want because I got tired of voicing my opinion about what I want for my goals, and nothing being done. That all changed about 2 years ago when I found out about the Developmental Disabilities Shared Vision. The Shared Vision allowed me to take charge of my own goals that allow me to succeed as a support recipient.
Since the DD Shared Vision has been in place, I've been able to grow and be more social. In the past two years, I've gotten my license, I purchased a truck, I have a new place, I'm in a relationship, and I am the Chief Marketing Officer of two successful businesses that help people on the IDD/AAPD/ALI waiver. On top of all this, I have been able to travel, which is what I've always wanted to do. I have worked with the organizer of the Shared Vision to promote and bring awareness to the State of Alaska for little over a year. I manage the Facebook page for the Shared Vision. I do want to end this saying, yes, I do have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.”
- Garrett Dominick, 2019