The key to developing options is information. The more information you have, the more options you will be able to identify. An option is an alternate resource that can be used to achieve a goal. For example, if the goal is living in the community, an option can be an apartment, a house, a mobile home, a condominium, a shared home, a dormitory, or other housing alternative.

Some individuals do not achieve their goals because they aren't aware of available options for doing so. Sometimes they do not fully achieve their goals because they do not find the best option. They become satisfied with the first option rather than looking at all possible options.

There are four general guidelines that you should always remember when looking for information about options. They include:

1. Do not stop looking for information until you have the kind of options that will let you meet your goal.

2. All possible sources should be used to locate needed information. (Use the five information-seeking methods described below.)

3. Try again and again. Even if you have already tried a source, check back again to see whether new options exist.

4. Ask where else you can find the type of information you want when talking with an information source.

The following are five information-seeking methods to identify options. They represent examples of where to look for information.

1. Ask acquaintances or friends where you can find the information. For example, you might locate a roommate through a member of an independent living training class.

2. Call a support organization such as an independent living center that might help with finding or providing an option. For example, you might contact the local coalition of individuals with disabilities or the local optimists club to find funds for purchasing a new hearing aid.

3. Look in the classified ad section of the newspaper. For example, you might find a used lift van for sale in a weekly shopper.

4. Look in the yellow pages of the phone book. For example, you might find several businesses that sell different types of wheelchairs.

5. Call the information number of the agency responsible for the options. For example, you might call the transportation information number to determine who to talk to about accessible transportation in your neighborhood.

When requesting information, record the type of information that you will be looking for. Greet the individual politely. Verify the agency, organization, or individual. Introduce yourself and clearly state your name. Ask for the person's name and write it down. Ask whether the person has the information you need. If he or she does, ask for details. If the person doesn't have the information you need, ask for someone who does and how to locate that person. Thank the individual.

When you ask someone for information, you are more likely to find what you want if you can state the exact kind of information that you are looking for. There are two kinds of information, general and detailed, that you need to identify. General Information refers to a common class of information. For example, you might want to know what synthesized speech devices are available for individuals with speech impairments who work with computers. Your general description would be "Synthetic speech devices for computers."

Detailed Information refers to more specific information about a general information topic. For example, you might want to know specific information about assistive computer devices. You may need its name, the way it works, what computers it can be used with, the cost, and where to purchase the equipment.

Sometimes it isn't possible to find the exact option you need or to find it in time. You can temporarily use your best option until you find a better one, or change your goal slightly. You also can modify an option so it meets your goals or make options that don't exist. The only way you can lose is not to try.

If you have found or developed several options, you may have to select one. Decide if you have a personal preference or if it a necessary preference that you know must be part of the option. Sometimes these preferences will conflict. You may want to buy a van that is red (personal preference) but only the blue van has the heavy-duty lift (necessary preference).

For more information, contact the Research and Training Center on Independent Living, 4089 Dole, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS (785) 864-4095, rtcil@ku.edu, Website

This research was supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the U.S. Department of Education. #1986

Budde, J., Feighny, K., White, G., Altus, D., & Snyder, J. A. (1990). Options for achieving goals. Consumer control: How to command decisions and achieve personal goals (pp.120-148). Lawrence, KS: The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living, The University of Kansas.

Keyword: Empowerment

Copyright. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living.