ABOUT US

The Center for Self Determination began in 2002 and grew out of the frustration of parents seeing a lack of educational options and having to navigate the complex educational system for their children who had disabilities. Johnathan Tomasevic's family funded the early efforts of the Center in Minden, Nevada, with some of the proceeds of a successful settlement with the Douglas County School District. 

 

The Washoe County office was the result of IDEA transition planning for Brianna Hammon who loved books and wanted to educate the world about disability issues. Brianna started a Library Project. Lucy Gwin, Editor of the MOUTH magazine cleared out her entire basement of materials sent to her for review and for the MOUTH store. She packed it up and sent it FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND AND DISABLED to Reno when Brianna found a location for the Library in the Center for Independent Living in Sparks. The Library is full of materials about people with disabilities BY people with disabilities because FOR REAL the blind are the only ones who can effectively lead the blind. The Project moved in 2005 to its current location in the Kietzke Plaza in Reno.

 

In time, Brianna began to take her show on the road in the Training & Advocacy Project. She continues to educate from the perspective of people with disabilities, a key ingredient she believes is missing from most training. The Center also sponsors the local chapter of Nevada's first self-advocacy group, People First by providing monthly meeting space, meeting supplies, and support for the advocacy they do. 

 

Finally, the Children's Advocacy Project was added to the mix to help families directly when working with school districts to secure appropriate educational services in the 17 school districts in Nevada. 

 

The Center is a great source of information on disability and Brianna's training are a must for your group or agency to be sure you are operating in a person-centered manner keeping disability culture in mind.