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Keystone Human Services (KHS) is a non-profit organization that is a part of a global movement to provide support and expertise to people with disabilities.
Inclusion is a journey, and over the past two years, Keystone Human Services has been exploring how the Listen Include Respect global guidelines can impact an organization that provides direct support. During the June Summit on June 18, 2024, we highlighted some of the work that has been done recently, along with our partners: Ibaa Khalil, Project Manager with Inclusion International Jordan; Kirsi Konola, CEO and Petra Rantamaki, Development Director with Tukena Foundation in Finland (formerly KVPS), new adopters of the Listen Include Respect guidelines; Joe Robbie and Catherine Watson, Inclusion Advisors with UK-based Down Syndrome Association.
Our approach has been focused on building trusted collaborations with people who choose to accept our services. Expanding on our person-centered approach, we are examining how we develop and provide services and supports with people with disability rather than for them. That distinction matters, placing people in the lead role of their own lives.
It means looking beyond data and outcomes.
“My vision is that we will continue to innovate our services and evolve so we can continue to meet people’s wants and not just their needs,” said Charles Sweeder, President and CEO of KHS. “We’re going to try new things together, learn, and adjust. We are considered a model of inclusion because that’s who we are.”
For example, within Keystone Autism Services, a person’s support team follows the lead of the person. Through a variety of person-centered tools, including Charting the LifeCourse, each person leads their services and supports, sets their own goals, and guides what they want their support to look like.
“We value each person’s humanity and how they would like their life or services to look, including what they want, their opinions, and feedback, which drives their plan,” said Janae Yoder, Behavioral Health Specialist. “We treat each person with respect, which builds a strong relationship.”
Within our Intellectual Disability Services in Pennsylvania and Delaware, we are working together to prepare people who accept our services to be active participants in the interview process for prospective support professionals. People with disability will also lead trainings on support practices so new employees can learn what good support looks like and sounds like directly from people with lived experience.
Capital Area Head Start, which serves families who speak 29 different languages and come from 30 different countries, works to promote diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments in all its centers for children, families, and staff. Paperwork, classroom labels, important messages, and emails are all translated and written at an appropriate reading level, so all families receive the information they need to assist their child on the path to school readiness.
“Early education environments that actively promote diversity and inclusion are the fertile grounds where young minds learn to appreciate the rich mosaic of humanity,” said Kayle Richardson, Director of Employee and Program Development for Capital Area Head Start, “and, in doing so, become compassionate, open-minded, and socially conscious individuals who are equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.”
This inclusion journey has driven us to find shared spaces where we can learn together and from each other.
“To continue to move forward, it takes all of us,” said Courtney Soto, the new Engagement Manager working with people accepting services and leadership to develop and implement comprehensive inclusion strategies aligned with our mission and values. “Our commitment to each other is equally as critical as our commitment to the work. Trusted collaboration with people with disability, support professionals, family members, KHS leadership, and our national and international external partners is the most essential part of our journey.”
Tia Nelis, Listen Include Respect Consultant with Inclusion International, announced that Inclusion International’s World Congress will be held in the UAE in September 2025. Listen Include Respect advocates will be able to experience peer-to-peer support, share ideas, and learn from one another.
Watch the video to experience the journey.
Speakers:
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