Empowering Life Success and Interdependence
The seventh point of the star quilt emphasizes:
- interdependence/self-determination
- self-advocacy
- employment
- self-employment
- subsistence activities
To empower a participant for success, begin by reviewing their comprehensive assessment to understand how they perceive their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choices.
For Indigenous Tribes, self-determination includes the right to govern relationships with both their communities and external governments, organizations, and entities. This sovereignty enables Tribes to plan and deliver services that reflect their cultural values, priorities, and needs.
Self-advocacy is a critical skill for people with disabilities, allowing them to assert their rights and communicate their needs effectively. It requires understanding one’s rights, recognizing the specifics of one’s disability, and working with service providers, including TVR projects. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) support self-advocacy at both the individual and systems levels.
Once participants are employed, ongoing support is essential. TVR staff should maintain regular contact to monitor job satisfaction, address emerging needs, and collaborate with employers to identify necessary workplace adjustments. Early intervention can prevent challenges from jeopardizing employment. Case closure is typically considered after 90 days of stable employment, but counselors and participants must assess whether continued support is needed to sustain long-term success. Premature closure can lead to a “revolving door” effect, with participants repeatedly returning for services.
Participants may pursue self-employment for flexibility, to create job opportunities when paid employment is limited, or to express creativity and continue family traditions. Self-employment enables individuals to operate their own business, making decisions about products or services to generate profit. While it is not suitable for everyone, it can fulfill personal and economic goals.
Self-employment through subsistence activities draws on traditional and cultural practices. Many Tribal members, particularly in rural areas, rely on natural resources to meet basic needs, engage in bartering, and share or trade goods. This type of self-employment often complements seasonal paid work. Unlike small business ventures, which focus on cash income, subsistence activities emphasize traditional practices, such as making clothing or goods for personal or community use rather than for sale.
Core Practices
Interdependence and Self-Determination
- Interdependence emphasizes the interconnectedness of families and communities. Indigenous cultures often highlight mutual support and collective responsibility.
- Self-determination focuses on individual and community autonomy to make decisions about their lives, including work and services. Laws such as the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensure individuals with disabilities can exercise informed choice.
- Tribal self-determination allows communities to plan and provide culturally relevant services. Federal laws, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL 93-638), support Tribal governance in service provision.
Self-Advocacy
- Support participants in understanding their rights, recognizing their disability-specific needs, and communicating effectively with service providers.
- Utilize Centers for Independent Living (CILs) for advocacy at both individual and systems levels.
- Encourage family and community support in developing decision-making and self-advocacy skills.
Employment
- Focus on competitive integrated employment (CIE), ensuring participants work alongside non-disabled peers, with equitable compensation, benefits, advancement opportunities, and culturally sensitive accommodations.
- Collaborate with participants to develop job skills, navigate workplace expectations, and align employment outcomes with the “Great Eight” assessment.
- Maintain follow-up support after employment to monitor satisfaction, address issues, and determine if continued assistance is needed before case closure.
Self-Employment
- Explore self-employment for flexibility, creativity, cultural expression, or when paid employment is scarce.
- Define self-employment as working independently to generate profit through products or services.
- Provide guidance using resources such as TVR-SET for business planning and early-stage support.
- Support services may include:
- referrals to business courses and community resources;
- assistance with purchasing tools, equipment, or initial stock;
- help with start-up, marketing, and short-term space costs;
- guidance in business plan development, licensing, and permits;
- accounting, financial management, and budgeting support; and
- provision of accommodations or assistive technology as needed.
Subsistence Activities
- Support traditional and cultural forms of self-employment, particularly in rural Tribal communities.
- Activities focus on sustaining cultural practices and complementing paid employment, including:
- hunting, gathering, farming, and preparing traditional foods;
- making clothing, footwear, blankets, and ceremonial regalia;
- constructing shelters, tools, and equipment; and
- producing arts, crafts, or items for traditional healing.
Click the star quilt links to learn how to implement each phase of the TVR journey.
TVR Journey
The TVR Journey is available in a downloadable format that can be printed.
TVR Journey Guide
The TVR Journey Guide webpage contains files and tools that will help guide you through each phase of the TVR Journey.