This fact sheet provides an explanation of what self determination is, provides the four principles of self determination, describes the values supported by self determination. The authors contend that if self-determination is going to be successful, it requires that those who supply services and fund them make certain changes in both the way they think about persons with disabilities and the way they serve them. The authors state that in order for self-Determination to happen, the system must shift: (1) From seeing persons with disabilities as having limitations that prevent them from participating fully in life to seeing them as valuable citizens who have many talents, strengths, and abilities to contribute to their communities; (2) From seeing persons with disabilities as service recipients to seeing them as individuals with rights and entitlements; (3) From providing agency-controlled services to supporting person-directed services; (4) From systemic and agency control of financial resources to individual control; and (5) From control to empowerment. [The preparation of this fact sheet was supported in part by the Center on Human Policy through a subcontract with the Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of Minnesota, supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education; and in part by the National Resource Center on Supported Living and Choice, Center on Human Policy through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education.]