WHAT IS INDEPENDENT FACILITATION?

Independent Facilitation is an ongoing process that supports an individual with a disability to develop a vision for their future and to take the steps necessary to work towards their dreams. 

Facilitation involves a trained Facilitator working alongside a Person/Family over time.  It involves expanding personal networks, planning and connecting people in community.

What does the Person/Family do?

Personal planning is the natural process of making decisions about your future. 

• Come with an open mind
• Be prepared to think differently You plan so that you influence and control your future
• Plan so that you achieve the security in your life that you feel is important
• Be comfortable with exploring your goals in the context of community
• Plan so that you understand where you want to go, how you want to get there and identify who can help
• Identify resources you already have and those you might need, and identify where there are gaps
• Be prepared to bring the important people in your life together and consider who else might be involved
• Communicate openly with your Facilitator
• Inform your Facilitator of any changes in your life
• Capture your ideas, hopes and dreams with the help of your Facilitator who will support you in creating an action plan as you strive towards achieving your goals
• Be ready to get started! If your family is in a crisis situtation, this is not a time to get started with facilitation. 

What does the Facilitator do?

• Listen deeply to what an individual feels is important now and for the future
• Assist the person’s voice to be heard by others
• Guide the planning process at the pace that is right for the person and their friends and/or family
• Assist people and their support networks to be good at planning and decision making
• Provide written plans that make sense to the person
• Help the person develop relationships and build a strong network of friends and/or family
• See the person, along with their friends and/or family (their support network), as the decision-makers
• Explore people and places to help the person build a life in their neighbourhood and community
• Connect people with those community places that are most meaningful to them
• Help move ideas into action and develop action plans of what is needed
• Assist the community to respond to people and their plans
• Help the person and their support network review how things are going