Peter Leidy has been learning from people with developmental disabilities since 1983. He worked for Options in Community Living, a supported living agency in Madison, Wisconsin, from 1985 - 2004. He believes community is for everyone.
At Options Peter's roles included direct support, service coordination, staff recruitment, and administrative responsibilities. He eventually worked as a member of Options' management team, focusing on improving support to direct service staff and expanding Options' community/relationship building efforts.
Since 2004 Peter has been consulting with individuals, families, organizations, counties, and states in areas such as:
- supported living
- supporting and valuing staff
- self-determination
- organizational development
- building community relationships
He develops materials and conducts training
, spending a lot of time working with and learning from direct support workers.
Peter also writes and sings humorous and thought-provoking songs about life in the human service system, and has recorded 3 CDs of these songs. He often speaks (and sings) at conferences and has given presentations throughout the United States as well as in Canada and England. His songs touch on themes of self-determination, advocacy, personal care assistance, hiring employees, and the human services bureaucracy.
Peter also provides musical political insights
as an award-winning singing commentator
on Wisconsin Public Television's news program, Here and Now. He lives with his wife and two teenage daughters in Madison, Wisconsin. |
