Creating Option-Rich Learning Environments

Empowerment for people with disabilities occurs when professionals entrust them with the responsibility of informed decision making and active participation. The purpose of this article is to encourage special education professionals to create option-rich learning environments that facilitate the growth of individuals with disabilities toward self-determination. In this article, we discuss the centrality of self-determination, constraints to self-determination, and strategies to encourage individuals to become self-determined. When option-rich environments are created, human rights are respected, educational outcomes are successful, and participants and professionals can become more self-determined.