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A letter from Stephanie Haskins: As many of you know, I work as a receptionist at a workshop run by an agency which provides support to people who have a disability. Although I do not receive services from the agency, in June I was asked to assist them in testing some training material that was being offered by CQL Canada. As part of the training, I was interviewed by staff who asked me questions in each of the following 21 personal outcome areas (you can download this list in PDF format here). The Personal Outcome Measures are statements that help educate and guide people who have a disability. They are used to find out if someone with Special Needs requires assistance with increasing his or her quality of life. Here are the outcomes I was asked to speak about with regard to my own life:

My Self:
  • People are connected to natural support networks.
  • People have intimate relationships.
  • People are safe.
  • People have the best possible health.
  • People exercise rights.
  • People are treated fairly.
  • People are free from abuse and neglect.
  • People experience continuity and security.
  • People decide when to share personal information.
My World:
  • People choose where and with whom they live.
  • People choose where they work.
  • People use their environments.
  • People live in integrated environments.
  • People interact with other members of the community.
  • People perform different social roles.
  • People choose services.
My Dreams:
  • People choose personal goals.
  • People realize personal goals.
  • People participate in the life of the community.
  • People have friends.
  • People are respected.

After being interviewed, I realized that it's important to ask yourself whether you're satisfied with your own life situation and the Outcomes listed above can help you identify things that need to be addressed. They make you think about things in your life.

Because of the questions I was asked that day in the summer of 2005, I have set new goals for myself. The Outcomes have made a difference in my life. Dreams can come true when you use this tool! I hope that including these outcome questions in this website will help you to analyze aspects of your life, whether or not you have Special Needs, to see if there are any areas you could improve!

The Personal Outcome Measures are property of The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). They have been made available for download from fborfw.com with written permission.

About CQL Canada: CQL Canada focuses on working with service providers to evaluate quality of life and quality of services for people who have been identified as having Special Needs, to help them live a better life based on what the person identifies as being important in his or her life. For more information about the Personal Outcome Measures and CQL Canada please visit their website.