Project SELF: Preparing professionals to facilitate self-determination

Only recently have professionals recognized the importance of self-determination for young children and their families. Project SELF used the philosophy of self-determination in an interdisciplinary model to prepare graduate students to serve young children with disabilities and their families. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR) projects, students had the opportunity to support the foundations of self-determination in themselves and with children and families. This article describes the conceptual framework and evaluation of this innovative preservice personnel program.