THE VALUES THAT LIE AT THE HEART OF LIFESTEPS

LIFESTEPS believes

• That people with disability are entitled to have their human rights upheld and respected and their rights as citizens protected.

• That people with disability should be able to belong to, engage in and contribute to community life with whatever supports they require.

• That people with disability have a right to and deserve a great life and that this is best achieved through robust intentional planning.

• That people with disability need to have relationships with others that are positive, healthy, meaningful and built on mutual trust and respect. It is these relationships that keep people with disability safe.

• That the interests of people with disability are best served when they are allowed to grow up in their own family, go to school in their own neighbourhood, encouraged to develop their interests and passions alongside their peers, work and engage in the community and have access to the supports they require to live a life with purpose.

• That people with disability are highly vulnerable to being excluded from ordinary life experiences and instead are more likely offered life experiences with low expectations in congregated and segregated settings.