Features

PLA...

• Maintains unambiguous guiding principles and a belief that each   individual with a disability can have a better life in the community, with an   emphasis on inclusion, empowerment and individuality. 

• Believes that all people should be respected and their dignity enhanced

• Assists people to think creatively and imagine possible solutions that are   not standardised, segregated or congregated 

• Assists people to develop a sound personal vision for  good community   life

• Assists people to build their own strength, capacity and change people’s   thinking though introducing new ideas about the meaning of community   living and practical examples of what is possible

• Provides bottom up assistance i.e. advice and consultation one person at   a time ensuring the person and their family drive the process, work at   their own pace and develop a vision

• Stays with people over time if needed

• Emphasises building relationships and long term safeguards around   people’s visions

• Encourages links between individuals and families to share ideas,   compare experiences,  support each other and solve problems (e.g.   linking individuals, building consumer and family governed collectives),   building networks or attending conferences/seminars, 

• Encourages links to community members and service providers who can   assist with building, pursuing and safeguarding a vision

• Endeavors to build right relationship with people and enables support   rather than provide it

• Provides technical advice to design personalised arrangements

• Informs and educates individuals and families seminars, a bi annual   conference, networks, individual and family leadership development

• Provides some informal assistance with mentoring, advocacy, mediation,   interpretation, problem solving, negotiations and liaison with stakeholders   (community, agencies/government departments) 

• Maintains an independence from the service system so that its principles   can be upheld without compromise

• Provides extensive and in-depth knowledge of issues in regard to its   principles

PLA Does Not...

• Take responsibility for making the vision or support happen as individuals   and families are in control

• Provide funding, allocate resources, hold people’s resources or provide   support workers but it provides information and advice

• Put limits on what is possible around people - regardless of their   ability/disability or complexity of need

• Slot people into services or give everyone the same thing but assists to   build a good life around each person

• Concentrate on funding but rather explores possibilities for support (both   formal and informal)