Spectrum Society is a non-profit agency that has transformed its services over 25 years from focusing on compliance and risk management to focusing on relationships, personal networks, and self-direction. The agency was influenced by pioneers in the field who emphasized social roles, functional skills, and community integration. Spectrum Society's mission has shifted from allowing people to function independently to supporting people to experience full citizenship. Through various projects, the agency has learned the importance of relationships, natural supports, individualized budgets, authentic leadership roles, and facilitating connections rather than just providing services. The agency continues to explore how to define and focus on quality of life rather than just quality services.

1. Spectrum Society at 25:
One agency’s story of transformation

2. Early influences
 Wolfensberger
◦ Valued social roles
◦ Normative ways and means
 Lou Brown
◦ “Pre-” means never
◦ Functional skills in real(not simulated)
environments
 TASH

3. “Spectrum Society’s mission is to provide
services to people with disabilities that
will allow them to function more
productively and independently in the
community.” (1988)

4. Deinstitutionalization projects

5. Integration

6. One person at a time
• Build on strengths and interests
• Normative options
– Paid employment
– Volunteer work
– Recreation
– Adult education
• Generic resources
– Local businesses
– Community organizations
– Recreation centres
– Colleges

7. What constitutes “quality
individualized services”?
• Compliance focus
– Health and safety
– Risk management
• Staff training
– Personal care
– Nutrition
– Medications
– Behaviour management

9. Monitoring and Reporting
• Staff evaluations
• Daily recording
• Quarterly reports
• Orientation checklists
• Health and safety reports
• Emergency drills

10. What constitutes “quality
individualized services”?
• Values focus
– Hire staff with good values
– Managers with good discernment
• Training focus
– Positive programming
– Communication
– Team-building

13. Others we’ve learned from
• David Pitonyak
• John Lord
• Michael Kendrick
• Pat Fratangelo (OCL)
• Lyle and Mary Romer (TLC)
• John O’Brien and Connie Lyle-O’Brien
• Mary Kealy
• Janet Klees

14. John Lord &
Peggy
Hutchison,
Pathways to
Inclusion
(2007)

15. 2007 CLBC Demonstration Project on
Building Personal Support Networks

16. Lessons from this project
• Everyone wants relationships;
• Everyone has something to contribute in
relationship;
• Our traditional program models and
hierarchies can get in the way of natural
relationships;
• Putting relationships at the top of the agenda
leads to a whole different conversation

17. Strategic Planning
• 10 focus groups
• What’s working / not working?
• 2020 vision
• Different methods
– PATH
– Focus groups
– Interviews
– Team meetings

18. Strategic Plan 2010-2013:
“Commitment to Partnership”
1. Strengthen the capacity of individuals to develop
and tap relationships, networks and community
partnerships;
2. Shift to a more person-directed approach to
service;
3. Become recognized as a model of excellence in
supporting self governance, locally and beyond;
4. Nurture a culture of learning and leadership;
5. Develop a self sustaining social enterprise /
business arm of Spectrum

19. “Spectrum Society’s mission is to provide services
to people with disabilities that will allow them to
function more productively and independently in
the community.” (1988)
“Spectrum Society’s mission is to support people
with disabilities to experience full citizenship and
genuine belonging in community.” (2010)

20. Shifting the balance of power

21. “Better Networks for Better Lives”
demonstration project

22. Lessons from the Better Networks
project
• Systems can get in the way
• We need to ask better questions
• Everyone has a right to direct his/her life
• No news isn’t necessarily good news

23. Sharing authority (A+B model)
• Discovery vs. intake
• Negotiation – eg. Host Agency agreement
• Individualized budgets
• Recruitment and interviews
• Scheduling
• Orientations and training
• Authentic leadership roles

24. What constitutes “quality
individualized services”?
• Relationship focus
– Building personal support networks
– Supported decision-making
– Natural supports as a first option
• The changing role of support
– Connector role
– Direction vs. facilitation

27. www.101friends.ca

29. What we’re still wondering...
• Quality individualized services vs. quality of
life?
– What’s the difference?
– Which should be our focus?
• Person-centred planning
– Independent facilitation?
– Planning for services or planning for life?

30. www.spectrumsociety.org
www.101friends.ca