Governing Principles:
Long life has adopted five governing principles in providing services and supports
to people with developmental disabilities. These principles are to ensure that people with developmental disabilities
receive supports and services to successfully live in their chosen environment. History has shown that we do not naturally extend to people with developmental
disabilities the values and aspirations we have for people without disabilities. It is significant that these principles must
be highlighted for people with developmental disabilities because clearly the concepts apply to all people. Those providing
services are committed to fostering caring communities and to providing the safeguards, as needed, for people with disabilities.
1. A person with a developmental disability shall relate to his or her family, friends
and communities when and how he or she chooses. It is important that people with developmental
disabilities have the opportunity to develop and maintain relationships with their families, friends and communities. When
these relationships are disrupted, Long Life will assist people in reestablishing them or establishing new relationships.
The opportunity for these relationships, and the relationships themselves, should be similar to those of people without developmental
disabilities. The potential isolation of a person with developmental disabilities due to only having relationships limited
to members of a provider organization must be avoided. Long Life is committed to fostering caring communities, to providing
the safeguards, as needed, for people with disabilities, and to ensuring that each persons decisions concerning relations
with family, friends and community, and preferences concerning living circumstances, are respected and supported.
2. A person with a developmental disability shall be as independent as possible and determine
the direction of his or her life. Independence means that a person can pursue activities
which he or she decides are important. They can be undertaken with various degrees of reliance on others. Every provider is
expected to encourage and assist each person served and supported to be as independent in as many areas of life as possible.
The ability to make decisions and take actions which improve one’s self-esteem or self-image shall be encouraged by
the provider.
3. A person with a developmental
disability shall have the Opportunity to make life choices that do not compromise health and safety. Such choices shall be
respected and valued. Every person with a developmental disability shall have the opportunity
to make choices regarding his or her life. To respect and value this not only means that Long Life is responsive to such choices,
but will enable, encourage, and teach individuals to make responsible and informed choices. The choices made should not compromise
the individuals’ immediate health and safety, nor the health and safety of their neighbors or communities. Long Life
will ensure that this opportunity is afforded each person served and exercised regularly. Choices should be informed and/or
aided as needed. The result is an improved quality of life and greater self-satisfaction.
4. A person with a developmental disability should have the opportunity to communicate
his or her fears and have them addressed. He/she should not to be subjected to fear of harm or reprisal in connection with
the provision of supports and services. People with developmental disabilities should not
suffer harm from any of their service providers. Further, an individual who is dependent upon Long Life will not have to fear
offending Long Life staff or suffering reprisals, minor or major from any Long Life employee for any reason. Long Life has
a basic and continuous responsibility to minimize the likelihood of harm, especially harm from within its own organization
, employees, volunteers, or other people with developmental disabilities. Long Life shall not tolerate the existence or exploitation
of fear within any program of services or supports as a means of influencing or controlling persons served.
5. A person with
a developmental disability should receive supports and services which are effective and meet his or her needs. People with developmental disabilities can expect quality services that address their individual needs. Long Life will
be diligent in ensuring high quality supports and services which are effective and adapted to meet specific needs and preferences.
Effective supports and services from social activities to habilitation are intended to be enabling for people with developmental
disabilities. Long Life supports and services must always promote and achieve a better quality of life for each person, and
the effectiveness of Long Life supports and services are evaluated annually in terms of measurable and observable outcomes
and the satisfaction of the person being served. Long Life staff stays apprised of contemporary social values and technical
information regarding the provision of supports and services.
