Definition of Self-Determination
The Research and Training Center on Community Living defines self-determination as people having the degree of control they desire over those aspects of life that are important to them. This definition is based on a conceptual model of self-determination that considers the amount of personal control people have in their lives as one, but not the only component of self-determination. Instead, the RTC on Community Living's understanding of self-determination individuates the construct by emphasizing that the amount of personal control persons have over their lives needs to be understood in light of both the amount of control they desire and in which areas of life they wish to exercise control.

The model of self-determination used at the RTC on Community Living Model is an ecological model and, as such, considers both the capacities of persons with disabilities to exercise control in life decisions (skills, knowledge, and attitudes and beliefs) and of the environments where they spend time (family, community, residential and employment programs, etc.) to support and encourage them in exercising control in their lives. Some examples of environmental supports for self-determination include training in how to make appropriate choices and decisions, assistance in noticing opportunities to make personal choices, exposure to self-determined role models, and positive reinforcement for taking control of personal decisions. It is believed that the consistent provision of such environmental supports at home, at work/school, and in the community will help people with disabilities to develop the skills, knowledge, and personal attitudes typically associated with self-determination, and will also compensate for skill deficits in the interim without eliminating opportunities for self-determination.

An alternative view of self-determination: Though much of the work being done at the RTC on Community Living is based on the Tripartite-Ecological Model of Self-Determination, much national attention has been focused on facilitating self-determination for people with intellectual disability, and members of their families, by allowing them greater flexibility in purchasing the support services they desire using the public resources they are eligible to receive. Making this opportunity available does represent an environmental support for self-determination important to the tri-partite ecological model of self-determination.