Life without limits.

We exist to empower individuals with disabilities and their families so they can live a life without limits.

We offer individualized plans for neurodiverse people so they can become active participants in their own lives and contribute to their community.

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Our Approach

At Choice Forward, our approach is rooted in person-centered, strengths-based facilitation that honors each individual’s unique voice, culture, and lived experience. We combine formal education in inclusion and access with a multicultural worldview and the firsthand insight that comes from raising and supporting children with disabilities. This blend allows us to truly understand the complexities families face, create supports that are culturally responsive and practical, and advocate for pathways that expand independence, opportunities, and meaningful community participation. We collaborate closely with individuals, families, and their circles of support to ensure plans are not only visionary—but achievable, sustainable, and aligned with what matters most to the person.

The Story Behind Choice Forward

I am a passionate advocate for neurodiverse individuals and a strong believer in inclusion, equal access, and the right of every person with a disability to participate fully in their community. My journey into advocacy began when my daughter, Victoria, was born Deaf with additional disabilities. At the time, I was in college pursuing a business degree with plans to become an accountant. Her birth changed everything. I quickly realized how much I needed to learn to support her: education law, disability rights, language development, inclusive practices, and the complex systems families must navigate to access appropriate services. While in school, I shifted my major from Business Administration to Deaf Studies and American Sign Language so I could fully support her communication, educational, and access needs. She is truly a testament to what is possible when a child is surrounded by high expectations, meaningful exposure, and consistent training. I believe deeply that these three components have been the foundation of her success, and they continue to guide the work I do with every family I support.

Since then, the learning has never stopped. I have attended countless workshops, conferences, and trainings, always striving to stay informed so that my children—and the families I serve—receive the best possible guidance and support. I remain actively connected with parents, providers, and educators in our local community to ensure I always understand the needs of families and the supports available to them.

I believe deeply in the rights of all people with disabilities to fully participate in society, to be treasured for their contributions, and to choose their own path. My work is both professional and personal—rooted in love, lived experience, and a lifelong commitment to ensuring every individual has the same opportunities.

I am also honored to be invited as a guest speaker for college students, educators, and future teachers, where I share my experience in advocacy, inclusion, language access, and the unique journey of raising a Deaf-disabled child. No matter the audience, my goal is always the same: to create a world where individuals with disabilities are respected, included, and supported to live the lives they choose.

Mirela Bere, Independent Facilitator

Our Core Values

Our Core Values are the principles that define who we are and how we serve. They guide our behavior, elevate the quality of our work, and ensure that every individual and family receives thoughtful, consistent, and trustworthy support.

Integrity

We define integrity as the unwavering commitment to act with honesty and transparency in everything we do. It reflects our promise to remain consistent in our values, reliable in our decisions, and fully aligned with the principles that guide our work with individuals and families.

Competence

We believe competence is the responsible use of our knowledge and expertise to consistently deliver meaningful, effective guidance. It reflects our dedication to learning, improving, and showing up prepared—ensuring families can depend on us as trusted partners.

Diversity

We define diversity as embracing the full spectrum of human experiences and ensuring inclusion is at the heart of our work. It means listening deeply, respecting cultural and personal differences, and shaping supports that recognize and uplift each person’s unique strengths and background.

Teamwork

We believe teamwork is the foundation of meaningful outcomes, grounded in relationships that prioritize trust, communication, and shared purpose. It reflects our belief that individuals thrive when their circles of support work together and contribute their collective strengths.

Innovation

We define innovation as embracing creativity to reimagine what support can look like—crafting fresh ideas, strategies, and tools that break barriers and open doors. It reflects our commitment to exploring new pathways and refusing to accept limitations as fixed.

Effectiveness

We believe effectiveness is the practice of being consistently available, attentive, and committed to achieving real, lasting results. It means prioritizing what matters most, responding with intention, and making sure our work leads to positive change in people’s lives.

Justice

We define justice as the active pursuit of equity and opportunity for all, especially for those whose voices have been underrepresented. It means championing fairness, confronting systemic barriers, and working toward a world where every person is respected, valued, and empowered.

Accountability

We believe accountability is the commitment to responsibility, reflection, and follow-through. It means owning our choices, communicating clearly, and ensuring that the individuals and families we serve can rely on our integrity, reliability, and commitment to their well-being.

Our Team

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Mirela Bere

Mirela Bere is a passionate advocate for neurodiverse individuals and a dedicated champion for equal access, inclusion, and person-driven choice. She believes deeply in the rights of people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities, to be respected for their unique strengths, and to shape their own path in life. As a proud parent of children with multiple disabilities, Mirela brings not only professional expertise but lived experience—allowing her to connect with families in a way that is both empathetic and empowering.

For more than 17 years, Mirela has supported and advocated for individuals with Autism, Down syndrome, and Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing needs. Her work is grounded in a strengths-based, person-centered philosophy that recognizes the whole individual, honors their cultural and personal identity, and amplifies their voice in every decision. Guided by the values of integrity, diversity, justice, and collaboration, she approaches each family with honesty, compassion, and steady commitment.

As an Independent Facilitator for the Self-Determination Program (SDP), Mirela specializes in developing comprehensive Person-Centered Plans (PCPs) that reflect an individual’s goals, preferences, and vision for the future. She provides support at every step—from navigating entry into SDP and reviewing IPPs, to budget development, Spending Plan creation, and communication with Financial Management Services (FMS). Once an individual begins their SDP journey, Mirela continues to offer ongoing guidance, helping families access resources, troubleshoot challenges, and build sustainable, community-based solutions.

Mirela’s educational background includes a BA in Deaf Studies and American Sign Language (ASL) and an AA in Business Administration. Her multicultural perspective and multilingual abilities (English, Romanian, and ASL and Spanish conversational level) allow her to connect with families from diverse backgrounds and ensure culturally responsive support.

With a blend of professional knowledge, lived experience, creativity, and unwavering advocacy, Mirela is committed to helping individuals with disabilities move forward responsibly with confidence, clarity, and choice.

“Mirela has the experience, resources and heart to provide the level of care that my twin-sister needs. In my experience, there are only a few people that can be trusted to make decisions as though they were in my shoes and she is one of them.”

–Gary

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We’ll help you live a life without limits.