People First Glossary
Below is a list of commonly accepted terms to be used in conjunction with People First language. This reference is drawn from a variety of credible sources such as subject-matter experts, state and federal law or other current publications.
impairment related work expense (IRWE): (A Social Security Administration work incentive) services or equipment, needed for a person to work because of a disability, which are paid for by the worker, such as wheelchair transportation, vehicle modifications, adaptive equipment, attendant care, medications and job coaching.
inclusion: The term ‘‘inclusion’’, used with respect to individuals with developmental disabilities, means the acceptance and encouragement of the presence and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, by individuals without disabilities, in social, educational, work, and community activities, that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to— (A) have friendships and relationships with individuals and families of their own choice; (B) live in homes close to community resources, with regular contact with individuals without disabilities in their communities; (C) enjoy full access to and active participation in the same community activities and types of employment as individuals without disabilities; and (D) take full advantage of their integration into the same community resources as individuals without disabilities, living, learning, working, and enjoying life in regular contact with individuals without disabilities. (114 STAT. 1682 PUBLIC LAW 106–402—OCT. 30, 2000)
independence (as defined by federal law): The extent to which persons with developmental disabilities exert control and choice over their own lives.
independent living: Independent living refers to achieving the ability to live in the home of one’s choice in the community with some level of support that may or may not be reduced over time. It also refers to learning skills that enable one to participate in activities of choice in one’s community, to manage one’s affairs, to have relationships and may include maintaining employment.
individual development account (IDA): is a special matched savings account designed to help low-income and low-wealth families accumulate savings for investments in long-term assets such as a house, higher education or a small business.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Originally P.L. 94-142 Education for all Handicapped Children Act mandating that state and local education agencies provide a free, appropriate public education and related services to all 'handicapped' children. Subsequent amendments provide for secondary education and transition services and for funds on research, training, and demonstration in transition from school to adult life. IDEA also includes Part H (Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities).
individualized education program (IEP): A written plan for children with disabilities who receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through the public school system. The plan details the child’s current level of performance, measurable goals, ways in which these goals will be accomplished, and the frequency and duration of the services and supports to be provided.
individualized family service plan (IFSP): A written plan for providing early intervention services to preschool children with developmental disabilities, preschool children at risk for developmental disabilities or preschool children experiencing a developmental delay and to their families.
individual habilitation plan (IHP): A plan that addresses the full range of needs of a person with a disability through establishment of short- and long-term objectives and the coordination of a variety of service options to achieve those objectives. Usually those who participate in the development of such a plan are the person who the plan addresses and any other professionals associated with the plan. This model of planning has been replaced by "person-centered planning."
individual plan for employment: A written plan stating long-term goals and short-term objectives that will enable a person with a disability to be successful in preparing for, obtaining and keeping a job. The plan also specifies the types of rehabilitation services to be provided for achieving employment objectives and assistive technology.
individualized supports: The term "individualized supports" means supports that—(A) enable an individual with a developmental disability to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life; (B) are designed to— (i) enable such individual to control such individual’s environment, permitting the most independent life possible; (ii) prevent placement into a more restrictive living arrangement than is necessary; and (iii) enable such individual to live, learn, work, and enjoy life in the community; and (C) include—(i) early intervention services; (ii) respite care; (iii) personal assistance services; (iv) family support services; (v) supported employment services; (vi) support services for families headed by aging caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities; And (vii) provision of rehabilitation technology and assistive technology, and assistive technology services. (114 STAT. 1682 PUBLIC LAW 106–402—OCT. 30, 2000)
individualized written rehabilitation program (IWRP): The primary tool used by the vocational rehabilitation counselor and the prospective supported employee to identify the goal, content, cost, duration and sponsor(s) of substantial services.
informed choice: Informed choice refers to a person’s ability to understand and use programs successfully, because the programs and services are designed to enable consumers to navigate them competently and without fear of reprisal. Individuals with disabilities need to know how to find, evaluate and use information, which will better inform their decision making process. Service delivery systems should facilitate—not stifle or direct—this decision making process.
integrated setting: A setting in which individuals interact with non-disabled individuals other than those who may be providing services to that person. It refers to a setting in the community in which individuals interact with non-disabled individuals, other than those who are providing services to that person, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with other persons.
integration: As defined by federal law, (a) the use by persons with developmental disabilities of the same community resources that are used by and available to other citizens, (b) the participation by persons with developmental disabilities in the same community activities and integrated employment in which citizens without disabilities participate, together with regular contact with citizens without disabilities, (c) the use of the same community resources by persons with developmental disabilities living, learning, working and enjoying life in regular contact with citizens without disabilities, (d) the development of friendships and relationships with citizens without disabilities, and (e) the residence by persons with developmental disabilities in homes which are in proximity to community resources, together with regular contact with citizens without disabilities in their communities.
integration: The term "integration", used with respect to individuals with developmental disabilities, means exercising the equal right of individuals with developmental disabilities to access and use the same community resources as are used by and available to other individuals. (114 STAT. 1682 PUBLIC LAW 106–402—OCT. 30, 2000)
intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (ICF-MR/DD): Certified private group homes and public mental retardation centers that provide 24-hour personal care, habilitation and developmental and support services to people with developmental disabilities who have intermittent, recurring needs for nursing skills but don’t require continuous skilled nursing care.
job coach: A person who provides one-to-one supports to a person with a developmental disability to assist in securing and maintaining competitive employment. Responsibilities include training the individual to do the job and staying on the job with the employee to monitor and evaluate the worker’s performance; decreasing his/her, presence to only periodic checking once the employee’s work is satisfactory to the employer.
least restrictive environment (LRE): This term refers to the act of providing services to a person with a disability in a manner that results in the greatest amount of freedom to make choices and act autonomously, to participate in one’s community and interact with people who do not have disabilities, to experience meaningful relationships, and to be free of restrictions imposed by environments or the method of service provision. The concept encompasses the notion that providing enabling supports, including assistive technology, can reduce or eliminate the need to provide services in a more limiting environment.
Local Management Entity (LME): LMEs are agencies of local government-area authorities or county programs-who are responsible for managing, coordinating, facilitating, and monitoring the provision of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services in the catchment area served. LME responsibilities include offering consumers 24/7/365 access to services, developing and overseeing providers, and handling consumer complaints and grievances.
mainstreaming: Purposeful, planned efforts to integrate persons with disabilities into the "mainstream" of society. This term is usually used in a school setting to refer to the integration of students with disabilities in classrooms of students without disabilities (see inclusion).
micro-board: A micro-board is formed when a small group (micro) of committed family and friends join together with a person with disabilities to create a non-profit society (board). Together this small group of people addresses the person's planning and support needs in an empowering and customized fashion. A micro-board comes out of the person centered planning philosophy and is therefore created for the sole support of one individual.
micro-enterprise: A microenterprise is a business with five or fewer employees, which requires $35,000 or less in start-up capital, and which does not have access to the traditional commercial banking sector.
Money Follows the Person (MFP): is a Medicaid demonstration project whose purpose is to eliminate barriers or mechanisms, whether in the State law, the State Medicaid plan, the State budget, or otherwise, that prevent or restrict the flexible use of Medicaid funds to enable Medicaid-eligible individuals to receive support for appropriate and necessary long-term services in the settings of their choice.