Paving the Way to Self-Determination
Mary Fortney & Anne Kooy
Session Overview:
Why do we wait until our youth reach transition age before teaching them about self-determination and self-advocacy? Why are parents often unaware of the resources and tools available to them until then? Oftentimes parents of students ready to exit school state "I wish I knew then what I know now." indicating a need to introduce the concepts of self-determination and independence at a much earlier age.
"Paving the Way to Self-Determination" as provided by Disability Network Southwest Michigan uses virtual and in-person platforms to provide free training to parents on important topics such as building disability pride, Social Security benefits, creating resilience, supported decision making, IEP/504 processes, ABLE Accounts, and more. Additionally, Paving the Way to Self-Determination offers learning opportunities for children with disabilities through its "Self-Advocacy Story Time" and has reached out to young students aged 12 and under, across the state through schools and libraries. This workshop will walk attendees through the process of creating and implementing their own Self-Determination programs for the families they serve.
Additional Session Materials:
- Click Here for an Accessible PDF Version of the Session Presentation PowerPoint
- Click Here for a PDF List of Resources Shared During this Presentation (PDF)
About Your Presenter:
Mary Fortney, MPA
Mary Fortney, MPA - is the Community Engagement Manager for Disability Network Southwest Michigan, one of 15 Centers for Independent Living in Michigan. She has been with the agency since 2013 and offers both her lived experience of raising a son with a disability, and her work with transition aged students to today's presentation. Since 2022 Mary has managed a Family Empowerment Initiative through funding from The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council with "Paving the Way to Self-Determination", a program which reaches parents statewide to help set the stage for self-determination early on through free, virtual training to families in how to prepare their children for a self-determined life. The program has also reached children under age 12 through schools and libraries with its "Self-Advocacy Story Time".
Mary lives in Battle Creek, Michigan with her husband Brad of 39 years, and their son Griff, now age 24. Their grown daughters Kara and Quinn live in Seattle Washington.
Anne Kooy
Anne Kooy has worked with Disability Network Southwest Michigan, a Center for Independent Living (CIL), for the past 7 years. She has a background in early childhood education, holding diplomas from the Association of Montessori International (AMI) in both primary and elementary education, as well as a master's in education from Loyola of Maryland. Currently, she assists with several peer-to-peer groups involving brain health, including helping to facilitate the Brain Injury Association of Michigan’s (BIAMI) southwest chapter and Legacy Groups for older adults.