Outcomes of Self-Determination in New Hampshire
Outcomes of Self-Determination in New Hampshire
James Conroy, Ph.D., Anita Yuskauskas, Ph.D., & Scott Spreat, Ed.D.
Abstract
Among change efforts in community services to increase the self determination of persons with
developmental disabilities, few, if any, have empirically shown system wide benefits in the
categories of improved quality of life, increased community membership, and cost reduction.
We obtained outcome measures on 19 different dimensions of quality in the lives of persons who
participated in a regional change effort at the Monadnock Development Services agency in
southwestern New Hampshire. The project changed the package of services offered to people by
furnishing them with portable, individualized budgets and choices related to service type and
service vendors. Improvement was noted across most corollary indicators, and no negative
outcomes were noted. The Project showed that autonomy and self determination could lead to
enhanced satisfaction, community involvement, and resource savings.