Presidential address 2001--you can change the world.

In the words of Margaret Mead, ‘‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.’’ You can and will make a difference. But the important question is, Shall we expend our energies to help people or to empower them? The empowerment of people with disabilities has forged a new civil rights movement. Americans have a long history of organizing for social, economic, and political justice. The civil rights workers in the 1950s as well as activists of the civil rights movements of the 1960s are now part of the disability movement. Many of those who first joined the disability movement for social justice during the 60s have gone on to become leaders of the movement for the next 3 decades (Bobo, Kendall, & Max, 1996). Advocates have been mobilizing people with disabilities and their families for freedom, authority, support, and responsibility. The disability movement is unique and has much to offer other social and civil rights movements. The disability movement is a montage of diversity. No one leader or organization can claim to speak for all people with disabilities. The disability movement accepts differences as paramount and includes a powerful coalition of millions of people with disabilities, their families, and advocates (Shapiro, 1993). ‘‘You Can Change the World’’ is a motto of many individuals who have made a difference in this world. This presentation is about making a difference in the lives of others. It is about the empowerment of people with disabilities and their families to have a better life. A better life as defined by the individual. In this paper I describe several recent and wonderful innovations in this field, including self-advocacy, family support, self-determination, Partners in Policymaking, outcome-based services, supported employment, home ownership, the Olmstead integration mandate, and direct-support staff. Self-Advocacy