Person-centered planning is a tool that helps people describe who they are, what they want and what they need. For a person with a disability, a person-centered plan answers the questions: How do you want to live your life? What supports do you need to realize that life?

Person-centered planning presumes that:
-First and foremost, everyone is respected for their values and contributions.
-Everyone has the right to plan a life that is personally meaningful and satisfying.
-Every person has talents and strengths.
-A person with a disability should not only have an equal voice at the planning table but should take a leadership role. 
-A person with a disability should be supported and empowered, not directed and controlled.

Person-centered planning is different because it:
-Starts with an individual’s preferences, capacities, needs and dreams.
-Takes direction from the individual and their family.
-Involves members of the community-not disability experts.
-Asks what is important before asking where/if it can happen.
-Creates a positive, possible future.

A person-centered plan should reflect what is important to the person, detail what actually happens in the support he or she gets, clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of people who will be involved in supporting and be easy to read and user-friendly.

Person-centered planning is conversation and information gathering:
-Spending time and talking with a person with a disability.
-Talking with his/her family, friends and others who know him/her.
-Learning what is important to him/her.
-Developing a true and shared appreciation for his/her strengths and struggles.
-Establishing how things are now.
-Discussing values, options and feelings.
-Discussing what needs to change-and what doesn’t.
-Developing one (or more) action plans.