For Desi, self-direction means living a life shaped by his choices and being understood on his own terms. At 46 years old, Desi self-directs his services with a team designed around his preferences, communication style, and daily routines. Desi does not use spoken...

For Anneke, self-direction has meant reclaiming her life and living as an individual, not being defined by a schedule or a system. After years of navigating traditional, one-size-fits-all services, self-direction gave Anneke the ability and flexibility to shape her...

For Al and his family, self-direction has meant something deeply personal: choice. According to his mother, Alicia, self-direction allows Al to decide what he does, when he does it, where he goes, and who he spends time with. Before adulthood, school environments were...

For Dee and her son Jonah, self-direction has been nothing short of life changing. Jonah entered adolescence during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when his behaviors became increasingly intense and unpredictable. At just 13 years old, Jonah...

At 31 years old, Caroline is living a full, active life shaped by choice, connection, and purpose. The youngest of three siblings, with family spread between New York City and Florida, Caroline has built a life of her own in Rockville, Maryland. She lives in her own...

For Thea and Kevin, self-direction wasn’t just a change in services - it was a chance to finally live their lives in a way that made sense for them as a married couple. Before self-direction, traditional provider services often treated them as two separate individuals...