You direct your own services. Or you support someone who directs their services. Participant-Directed Services (PDS) changed your life and you shared your stories.
More about this project
Participant-Directed Services, or PDS, are home and community-based services that can help people of all ages, and all disabilities maintain independence and choose the supports they need to live their best life.
In April 2020, the Institute and its partners reached out to people with disabilities and those who support them across Pennsylvania to share personal stories about how self-direction has improved their life.
On this page, it is okay to be you. It is okay to be different, and to tell your story in your own way. Everyone's chosen story-telling method is respected, while making the stories as accessible as we can. Please embrace the differences and enjoy the stories.
Want to share your story? Learn how.
About the Project
This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; in part by grant 2001PASCDD-02, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.
For more information about PDS
Contact us at [click-for-email].
PDS Stories
Holly's Story
"The Services My Way waiver has really increased my independence..."
Read Holly's story
Colton's Story
"I am the first student with intellectual disabilities to live on campus..."
Read Colton's story
Tanya's Story
"What we really need is a cultural shift and mind change..."
Read Tanya's story
Joanne's Story
"I can go where I want, when I want..."
Read Joanne's story
Debbie's Story
"We can hire our family members, why not?"
Watch Debbie's story
Frank's Story
"...it was fun because I got to meet new people."
Read Frank's story
Shirley's Story
"...allows me to have a productive career and a vibrant social life."
Read Shirley's story
Laura's Story
"...my support person and I took the train to Orlando..."
Read Laura's story
Jordan's Story
"...[my family and] I can choose the person working with [me]..."
Read Jordan's story
Derek's Story
"I vote every election...church is important to me..."
Watch Derek's story
Barb's Story
"...having control about who supports me is important."
Read Barb's story
Colin's Story
"I like to choose what to do and I teach my aides..."
Watch Colin's story
Robert J's Story
"No one should be excluded from anything in life..."
Read Robert J's story
William's Story
"I made a choice, my life, my way."
Read William's story
Robert Z's Story
"Challenge things that don't make sense to you."
Read Robert Z's story
Gretchen's Story
"I work for an agency... I also volunteer."
Read Gretchen's story
About the Project
This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; in part by grant 2001PASCDD-02, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.
Disclaimer
Some of the stories shared here may contain music, video or images to which the story-teller does not own the rights. The story-teller chose the music, video or images as a way to educate others about their PDS experience. Where copyrighted material is used, we provide a music, video or photo credit for the fair use of the material.
For more information about PDS
Contact us at [click-for-email].