Freedom: freedom to make choices, freedom to make mistakes, freedom to make decisions and learn from them. This principle extends and encourages the most basic human right to people with disabilities. It is vested in the philosophy that interests and opportunities should not be restricted in a way that denies or excludes any person based on his/her physical or cognitive limitations.

Authority: to say what is important and valuable in one’s life, to express opinions and ideas openly. This principle states that a person and, if they choose, family members and their circle of trusted people, not a program or system, has the power to make decisions and choices about who is working for them, what they are doing during a day or year, where they live, and other choices that will fulfill their vision of what life should be like for themselves (now and in the future). The principle of Authority recognizes a person as the sole expert in determining what kinds of supports they need to implement their decisions about the kind of life that they want. It extends to control over the funds allocated to purchase needed supports.

Support: as it is determined individually and mutually between the person with a disability and any person(s) supporting him/her. Support is not determined by an outside entity but is based on the skills, experiences and goals of the person being supported. It makes the assumption that people can make choices around what they want and need without the hindrance of having those decisions made for them. The principle of Support maintains that support is given when and in a way that is respectful of a person’s wishes.

Responsibility: is assumed by the person to hire staff (if needed), set and follow through with goals, and to make dreams a reality. This principle sees the person, as opposed to an agency or government policy, as the pivotal figure for making decisions. With more responsibility comes a greater sense of purpose. Within self-determination, responsibility is not a token to be earned but is inherent to a person’s way of life. Individuals are responsible for becoming contributing members of the community. This principle also speaks to the responsibility of the individual to spend public dollars wisely.

Community: recognizes that each person makes up part of the whole. All people have value and contribute to the diversity that enriches the fabric of community. Simply put, All People Belong. This principle recognizes that differences bring strength and perspective to an otherwise lackluster- world. Community is more than just "place", it is made up of a complex variety of relationships. Within self-determination as practiced in Philadelphia, connecting people who formerly have been excluded from particpation in community and a diversity of relationships becomes a central goal. Drawing on the thinking of such people as John O’Brien, John McNight and John McGee, it becomes clear that the first four principles of self-determination could be meaningless without meaningful, caring relationships in one’s life.