Building Meaningful Lives

Most people plan the activities they do in their days, weeks, and lives to serve their needs, strengths, and interests. People attend engagements, participate in classes, and socialize according to terms they deem purposeful and meaningful. While for many people, the degree of planning that is required in order to pursue their interests is relatively minimal, the same cannot be said for everyone. People with developmental disabilities are entitled to live a life full of enriching experiences and in order to ensure a safe and appropriate experience is provided, some planning needs to be done in advance.  Together, the New York State and the Federal government have made available a program through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities called Self-Direction. The program allows qualifying individuals to receive an annual budget which they can use to plan their lives for the remainder of the year.

I’m Ibraheem Shahadat, a Self-Direction Broker with over 10 years of experience serving people with multiple disabilities, and I’d love to help you decide whether the self-direction program is a good fit for your family. Serving as a special educator for many years, I know that treating every person with a disability the same way by offering them a cookie cutter service contradicts the principles on which accessibility stands. The idea that states all should be treated fairly in accordance to their capacity to learn, communicate, and make decisions. As an authorized Broker with a passion for equity, I want to help all my clients achieve success by redefining what opportunities are available to them and how they can tailor a self-directed model that aligns with their ambitions. If you live in New York City and want to learn more, you can schedule a conversation by using the contact form here. I look forward to answering your questions and consulting with you on potential next steps.