Person-centered Planning pioneer John O’Brien passed away on Friday, June 27th, 2025. The values and practices in Oregon’s 20+ year old Support Services Brokerage system for adults with developmental disabilities were deeply influenced by John’s work. We would not be what we are were it not for the teachings of John and his wife Connie Lyle O’Brien.
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy: time-tested tools for ensuring inclusion for people with disabilities, tackling systems transformation, and supporting community-building.
If you would like to learn more about John O’Brien, check out his writings and talks at the Inclusion Press website.
“Person centered planning begins when people decide to listen carefully and in ways that can strengthen the voice of people who have been or are at risk of being silenced. Person centered planning celebrates, relies on, and finds its sober hope in people’s interdependence. At its core, it is a vehicle for people to make worthwhile, and sometimes life changing, promises to one another.” – John O’Brien