The framework offers a practical approach to dealing with day-to-day life experiences and offers valuable tools and resources to help plan a good life. The process includes an inventory of the individual’s personal talents, resources, and needs across their lifetime and sets the course for developing individualized action plans.
The framework interconnects all of these life experiences with family, community and supports in creating an individualized, actionable, person-centered, holistic vision for the future.
You are invited to download these helpful resources are:
LifeCourse Resources
 Experiences and Questions Booklet |
 Daily Life & Employment Guide |
 Charting the LifeCourse Infographic |
 Foundation of the LifeCourse Framework |
|
 Focus on Early Childhood |
 Focus on School Age |
 Focus on Transition |
 Focus on Adulthood |
 Focus on Aging |
Tools for Conversation
 Four Paged Portfolio |
 Tool for Developing a Vision: Individual and Family Versions |
 Integrated Supports Star Worksheet |
 Integrated Long Term Service and Support Needs Template |
 Life Trajectory Worksheet |
For portfolio and samples of Integrated Supports for each Life Domain that have been filled in with ideas to get you started. The possibilities are really endless once you begin thinking about all different types of supports you use to help you problem-solve and troubleshoot your life!
Special thanks to the University of Missouri, UMKC Institute for Human Development for leading the development and promotion of the Charting the LifeCourse Framework.
The Charting the LifeCourse Framework helps people and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live. Created BY SELF ADVOCATES and FAMILIES, the Charting the LifeCourse guides you in focusing on the current situation and stage of life and helps people look ahead to think about life experiences that will help move them toward an inclusive, productive life in the future.
Originally created for people with disabilities who recognize The GOOD LIFE doesn’t happen by accident. The GOOD LIFE is intentional; it takes planning. This is a universally-designed framework empowers people and their families to plan across the LIFESPAN and across LIFE DOMAINS and may be used by any person or family making a life plan.
Kansas is part of a 17 state Community of Practice designed to rethink how we are supporting self-advocates and families across the LIFESPAN. There are now 22 states in the Supporting Families Community of Practice"To learn more about the Charting the LifeCourse Framework, you can:
For upcoming Charting the LifeCourse events and activities in Kansas, contact Mark Dietzler at KDADS, the Kansas Supporting Families CoP statewide facilitator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Charting the LifeCourse Tool for Exploring Decision-Making Supports
This tool was designed to assist individuals and supporters with exploring decision making support needs for each life domain. Download the Tool (PDF)
Commission on Disability Concerns
The Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC) offers important resources for people with disabilities on its website such as Disability Service Maps, ADA Information, Legislative Information and local (city, county and state) ADA coordinators across the state.
Valuable information to help you is listed under both Life Resources and Resources section of the website. Visit https://kcdcinfo.ks.gov/home
ABLE Savings Accounts allow Kansans with disabilities to set aside up to $14,000 a year tax-free without affecting their eligibility for Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid or other government programs. You have the choice of six different tax-advantaged investment options including a new product similar to a checking account – all FDIC Insured. These accounts are offered through the ABLE banking partner, Fifth Third Bank and allow you to save towards college or a house and one’s own independence. To learn more, go to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the State Treasurer’s website at: https://kansasstatetreasurer.com/able_savings.html
National Resource Center for Supported Decision Making is a way people can make their own decisions and stay in charge of their lives and advocates for changes in law, policy and practice to increase self-determination as a valid, less-restrictive alternative to guardianship. For more information, go to http://www.supporteddecisionmaking.org/
Protecting or Gaining Independence and Decision-Making Rights for a person with a disability is of great importance. This requires a rigorous process to evaluate whether a guardianship is needed, and how to limit its reach. The ACLU recognizes guardianship is not the only option and helps people with disabilities keep their rights and their decision-making capacity. For more information, go to https://www.aclu.org/issues/disability-rights/integration-and-autonomy-people-disabilities/supported-decision-making
Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK) promotes the empowerment and independence of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. For more information, visit http://www.sackonline.org or their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Self-Advocate-Coalition-of-Kansas-120337995992/.
Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) fosters leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities. The center prepares people of all abilities to address the challenges they face through leadership to create healthier Kansas communities. KLC’s heart, purpose and the primary focus are on Kansans and you are invited to join other Kansans to redefine leadership. For more information, visit http://kansasleadershipcenter.org/
Disability Rights Center of Kansas (DRC)
The Disability Rights Center advocates for the civil and legal rights of Kansans with disabilities and is a part of the national network of federally mandated protection and advocacy agencies serving the disability community. DRC advocates for the rights of Kansans with disabilities under state or federal laws (ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, Federal Medicaid Act, Kansas Act Against Discrimination) and more. For more information, visit http://www.drckansas.org/
Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA)
The academy educates and mentors youth with disabilities to become contributing members of their community. The academy offers a number of programs in personal and leadership development. In addition, the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KSYLF) offers week-long leadership programs for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities on a college campus that develops new leadership skills and provides information and resources to empower them to speak out, advocate more and reach their personal goals. Applications are due in December, visit http://www.kyea.org for more information.
Partners in Policymaking Online Courses
The goal of Partners in Policymaking is to educate participants to be active partners with those who make policy. They will become partners in policymaking. The idea is to develop partnerships that are based on positive relationships. In today’s political climate of radical change, Partners graduates must work harder than ever to prevent the loss of basic rights for people with disabilities. Partners graduates can change the future by influencing public policy today. Partners is now available online as an e-learning site, which gives Partners participants the opportunity to supplement their learning; Partners graduates to refresh their skills and stay current on best practices; and others to increase their knowledge and understanding of best practices in the disability field, and learn how to communicate effectively with their elected officials. Log on at https://partnersonlinecourses.com/
Kansas Rides, our Statewide Transportation Resource, wants to make public transportation more accessible and more useful to Kansas’ residents. While doing that, we also hope to foster the goals of promoting independence, building connectoins, and preserving Kansas living. Visit their website at https://ksrides.org/
National Gateway to Self Determination offers published research, white papers, practical guides and resources to help people with disabilities and their families make decisions based on their own preferences and interests. Go to http://ngsd.org/
Families Together, Inc. assists parents/families and their children with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs from birth through age 26. The staff provides individualized assistance for families and transition age youth by phone and in person to help everyone better understand and access educational services, programs, health plans and other resources at no cost to families. For more information, visit https://familiestogetherinc.org
Assistive Technology for Kansans helps people with disabilities and health conditions of all ages access assistive technology they need to fully and independently participate in community life. Staff will assist you with selecting a device, borrowing a device and helping locate funding for a new or used device. Offices are located in Oakley, Wichita, Salina, Topeka and Parsons and there is an equipment reuse site in Garden City. Contact your regional AT Access Site by calling 800-KAN DO IT (800-526-3648) or by calling or emailing the main office at 620-421-8367 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit https://atk.ku.edu/
