It is time for all key partners — individuals with I/DD and their families, state agencies, and service providers — to join in a concerted effort to scale up self-directed options. By replacing barriers with best-practice approaches, states and service providers can expand self-direction and achieve the outcomes for and expectations of individuals with I/DD.

The Spark Initiative, developed by Optum®, brings together experts from government, nonprofit and private sectors to spark new thinking on major health and human service issues. This report focuses on individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and is one of a series of four Spark white papers on this topic.

Its purpose is to discuss the benefits and challenges of “self-determination” and “self-direction” for individuals with I/DD and their families. It also outlines how both of these ideas can lead to greater fulfillment of an individual’s vision for a good life.