We assist individuals to create OPTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES that enable them to realize their potential, share their gifts, and achieve their dreams, while assuming valued roles in our society.

With the proper support, everyone has the potential to live a dignified and successful life in the community. Options & Opportunities’ residential and vocational support programs seek to create an environment that continually promotes the further growth of people with developmental disabilities whom we support. We pride ourselves on our history of consistent, high-quality supports, which are built around individual needs rather than rigid program structures. We are committed to self–determination, consistently promoting opportunities for the people we support to have control of their lives and the supports that they receive to the greatest extent possible. We recognize that supporting the empowerment of individuals through information and encouragement is critical to ensuring that their needs are truly met. Our program practices are designed to provide supports and assistance in a dignified fashion, to honor the individual's desires, and to empower the people supported to control their services to the greatest degree possible

Each person is unique and therefore effective support strategies and services must be adapted to and built around the specific personality and need of each individual. Our approach to designing and implementing supports is “person-centered”, adjusting supports as new capabilities emerge or as difficult areas are identified. Supports are provided with the belief that until the individual has realized their vision of what their life should be like, status quo is not good enough.

Our practices reflect the following principles:

• People are treated respectfully by those who serve them.
• People have opportunities to fill valued social roles.
• People are encouraged and supported to exercise their human and civil rights.
• People are encouraged and assisted to practice the religion of their choice.
• People live and work in environments that are safe, comfortable and reflect their personal tastes.
• People are presented in ways that enhance their images in the community.
• People advocate on their own behalf.

Options & Opportunities currently supports 60 people in Western Massachusetts.

Contact:
Janice Harris, Division Director
(413) 536-2401 x 3013
jharris@theconsortiumwmtc.org