In the Fall of 2017, the Ontario Independent Facilitation Network began to explore the need for a new infrastructure within Developmental Services to support people with developmental disabilities to experience full citizenship. Drawing from foundational work of other provincial grassroots organizations, OIFN began to use the term Person-directed Infrastructure to articulate this new infrastructure, with Independent Facilitation acting as one key function, along with adequate Individualized Funding; customized, affordable, and accessible housing resources; direct support resources; and administrative resources.

Through consultation with grassroots provincial partners, including members of People First, this framework advanced to include a component on inclusive life-long educational opportunities and was re-titled A Citizen-focused Framework, which infers a set of expectations around freedom, choice, rights, opportunities — and the responsibilities to respect the freedoms, rights, and opportunities of fellow citizens.

Conversations continued and OIFN learned more about what it takes for people to live rich, meaningful lives, which led to the evolution of this Framework for an Ordinary, Everyday Life.

This framework outlines the foundation for a good life and recognizes the need to invest in opportunities that advance ongoing learning, build experience, and expand skills and knowledge, in order to promote valued roles and contributions within society as a whole.

Foundational References: