About Me

My name is Nayyirah Fardan, and I am a Certified Independent Facilitator dedicated to empowering individuals and their families to navigate California's Self-Determination Program (SDP) with confidence and clarity. My passion is rooted in the core belief that you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to provide the expert guidance you need to bring your vision to life.

My mission is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities by ensuring their voices are heard, their choices respected, and their goals supported—so they can live fulfilling, self-directed lives.

My approach is deeply person-centered. With formal training in Person-Centered Planning, I ensure that our work together always starts with your unique strengths, goals, and aspirations. My comprehensive academic background—holding a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis and Bachelor's degrees in Psychology, Child Family Development, and Africana Studies—provides me with a holistic understanding of the individual, the family unit, and the systems we interact with daily. This foundation, combined with over six years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities and a previous credential as an Applied Behavioral Analysis Technician (QABA), gives me a robust toolkit to help you identify meaningful goals and create a practical plan to achieve them.

What truly sets my support apart is my direct experience working from within the system. As a former Service Coordinator for a California Regional Center, I have firsthand knowledge of how the system operates, both for those in traditional services and for those transitioning to self-determination. I have guided families through the complexities of accessing services and was on the front lines supporting individuals in SDP. This insider's perspective allows me to help you anticipate challenges, leverage resources effectively, and advocate powerfully for your needs.