Charting the LifeCourse Framework was created by FAMILIES to help individuals and families of all abilities and ages develop a vision of a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.  Even though it was originally created for people with disabilities, this universally-designed framework may be used by any person or family making a life plan regardless of circumstances.  LifeCourse Planning is built upon the core belief that people with disabilities and their families have the right to live, love, work, play and pursue their life aspirations just as others do in their community.  Read More

    

Personal Profile:  Planning works best when individuals and families are able to successfully communicate to others about what is most important in the person’s life.  Use of the One-Page Profile provides an at-a-glance way of knowing what really matters to the person, and can be taken with them as they move through services and come into contact with different people.  The Personal Profile helps others understand what to pay attention to and what works best to create positive change for the person.  Read More

Life Stage Trajectory:  LifeCourse Planning helps families to envision what matters most.  The “Charting the LifeCourse Experiences and Questions Booklet” can help families to make sure that the right questions are asked on behalf of their loved one.  Use of the LifeCourse “Tools for Developing a Vision” form and the “Life Stages Trajectory” form can help both the person and his or her loved ones to prioritize what is most important and to help guide decisions about current and future life experiences that will help move the person toward an inclusive, productive life in the future.  Read More

Integrated Supports:  In the past, conversations about supports for people with disabilities mainly revolved around the supports offered by the disability system.  LifeCourse Planning helps individuals and families access an array of integrated supports to achieve an envisioned good life, including those that are publically or privately funded and based upon eligibility; community supports that are available to anyone; relationship-based supports; technology, and supports that take into account the assets and strengths of the individual and family.  LifeCourse Planning helps everyone realize that we ALL need an array of supports in our lives daily.  Read More