Research

SDS Network Research is a new international group of researchers and others who share an interest in the knowledge base for self-directed support. The group brings people together to:

Share ideas, projects, and developments in self-direction research.

Learn from one another across countries and contexts.

Build connections that can lead to collaboration.

Work alongside people with lived experience to identify the research questions that matter most.

We want to create a space where research and lived experience come together on equal footing. The group will stay connected to the broader Self- Directed Support Network, building on past meetings and conversation while looking ahead to new opportunities. 

Anyone interested in self-direction research-wether through academic study, lived experience, or both-is welcome to join and contribute. We anticipate hosting one or two virtual convenings as well as an in-person convening as part of the 2025 Global Leadership Exchange in Ottawa, Canada in June 2025.

Does self-direction work? - Agood overview of research on self-direction was published by HSRI here:  Does self-direction work?

Good sources of infomation on self-direction include:

Applied Self-Direction - US-based organisation that works to support the right of people with disabilities to live the lives they want  -https://www.appliedselfdirection.com/

Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship (CIIC) - Canada's only university-based research centre focusing on social policy and issues concerned with the full inclusion and citizenship of people with intellectual and developmental disabillities -  https://cic.arts.ubc.ca/

Citizen Network - Citizen Network host the SDS Network and its libary contains many publication on the topic of how to advance citizenship for all people. - https://citizen-network.org/library/community/selfdirected-support

European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) - A user-led network of disabled people which advocates for Independent Living values, principles and practice to make the full citizenship of disabled people ppssible. - https://enil.eu/

European Association of Service providers for Persons and Disabillities (EASPD) - An association of service providers working to improve policy and practice in disability support services - https://www.easpd.eu/

Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) - US organisation that advises governments on how to create community-based, person-driven service system: https://www.hsri.org/

Manawanui - New Zealand based social enterprise driven by the belief that self-direction is a fundamental human right and providing pratical supports for self-direction. https://www.manawanui.org.nz/

Suunta - The Finnish centre on personal budgeting whose goal is to increase people's choice and influence over their lives. - https://tukena.fi/henkilokohtainen-budjetointi/

UNIC Project - European system to help people, services and governments get infomation to help move systems towards personal budgets: https://www.unicproject.eu/

Western Austraila's Individualised Services (WAIS) - Partnership with people, famalies, service providers and government to promote and advance individualised, self directed supports and services: https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/