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Independent Living

For people with disabilities, the everyday tasks of independent living can present unique challenges, but with sufficient assistance and social supports in place, these individuals can enjoy many of the same opportunities and control in their everyday lives that their non-disabled neighbors, family, and friends take for granted. This page provides brief overviews of several areas to consider with links to pages with more information, local service providers, and other web sites.

Financial Supports

While the name of the state agency that provides funding and support for individuals with disabilities may vary across states, each state has identified agencies that provide supports. Individuals who receive government benefits such as Social Security (SSI) may have more available resources for financial assistance and services than those who do not qualify for government benefits. They may also have access to more information about service providers available. Individuals who do not receive government benefits and are employed may access services through community organizations such as independent living centers or councils. For more information, see DisabilityInfo.gov and National Council on Independent Living.

Housing

Community Living Supports

These supports cover a wide range, from dependent-based facilities to a more independent environment where individuals are encouraged to develop necessary skills to become homeowners. Some things to consider are:
  • Level of care;
  • Types of disabilities served at the facility;
  • Private or government financing;
  • Compliance with regulatory agencies;
  • Social, educational, and recreation activities offered;
  • Type, level, and licensing of professional staff;
  • Ability of the individuals to leave the facility for social or employment opportunities:
  • Location in the community or distance from family and relatives; and
  • the general feel of the facility (like a hospital or a home).
State disabiliy agencies can provide information about options in your state and community. For more information: see all Adult Day Care/Programs services providers (8) in our database, see all Group Homes services providers (7) in our database, and see all Independent Living services providers (58) in our database.

Home-Ownership/Renting

Today, people with disabilities have many options for owning their own home, but it may take time, persistence, and patience to realize this goal. Many of the available resources have long waiting lists for housing services. Resources to facilitate home ownership include: housing authorities who can provide rental subsidies; community development agencies; resources for making a home accessible; and financial assistance and savings programs. For more information: see all State Disability Agencies services providers (65) in our database and see all Housing, Other services providers (94) in our database.

Transportation

Individuals with a disability have many transportation options, including public transportation, private services, or obtaining a driver's license. Whether mobility is achieved through accessing public transportation, using private services, or obtaining a driver's license will depend on the desires and abilities of each individual. For more information, see Travel/Transportation.

Money Management

Many individuals with disabilities can learn to manage their own money and there are many options for those who need additional instruction and help. Money Management is a learned set of skills that encompassess many topics, including: identifying the value of coins and paper money, making change, managing income from employment or programs like SSI, paying bills, writing checks, saving money, and balancing bank accounts. Budgeting income and expenses, handling credit cards, applying for loans, and investing for retirement are more complex skills that many adults struggle with but can be learned with more effort. For youth who are still in the school system, basic money management skills can be included in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). There are also community-based resources such as independent living centers and financial counseling organizations that teach money management skills. If an individual is in a supported living situation, money management skills can be provided and/or taught within that environment. For individuals with complex disabilities, a fiscal agent can manage their money. For more information: see all Financial Counseling services providers (21) in our database.

Employment

If employment is an option, government agencies and community organizations offer services and programs to help prepare young adults for jobs. For more information, see Employment/Daytime Activities.

Social and Recreation

Many people with disabilities have difficulty engaging in social opportunities outside of the home. However, it is important for young adults to have social outlets in areas of their interests e.g. arts, crafts, dances and recreational pursuits. For more information, see Recreation Activities and Social Issues.

Sexuality

If we accept that sexual expression is a natural and important part of human life, then perceptions that deny sexuality for people with disabilities deny a basic right of expression. The perception of people with disabilities as non-sexual can present a barrier to safe sex education, both for health care workers who may be influenced by these views and for people with disabilities themselves in terms of gaining access to information and acceptance as sexual beings. For more information, see Sexuality/Reproduction.

Spirituality

For special needs youth seeking increasing independence from family, spirituality may become more important, whether or not it is connected with any particular religion. For information, see Spiritual Needs.

Guardianship

When a child turns 18, he or she is considered a legal adult, which brings with it the rights, responsibilities and consequences of their choices. For a child whose disability renders him/her unable to make decisions in his/her own best interest, parents should consider applying for guardianship when the young adult is approaching 18. Parents do not automatically remain the child's natural guardian. For more information, see Guardianship/Estate Planning.

Health Care Funding

Continuing health care coverage is essential for those with special needs. Some individuals may continue indefinitely on their parents' insurance policy. Others may qualify for Medicaid, Medicaid D (disability) or insurance from their employer. For more information, contact your state Medicaid agency. For more information see Health Insurance/Financial Aids.

Personal Needs

Personal needs can encompass independent living supports such as transportation, skill training, job coaches, and personal assistants for completing activities of daily living. Independent living centers, state government services, and community organizations are available resources to help identify providers for the spectrum of personal needs. For more information: see all Independent Living services providers (58) in our database, see all Vocational Education services providers (143) in our database, and see all State Disability Agencies services providers (65) in our database.

Resources

Information & Support

For Parents and Patients

Access Utah
A statewide information and referral service providing information on issues related to people with disabilities; provides a list of equipment for sale.

American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
Provides information on all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and related legislation, including caregiver rights.

Disability Law Center
Utah's protection and advocacy agency for persons with disabilities; legislative advocacy; Everyone Can project; and more.

National Council on Independent Living
Provides information and advocacy for independent living; links to state councils and centers.

Utah Statewide Independent Living Council (USILC)
Non-profit organization that promotes full inclusion, independence, and empowerment of people with disabilities through advocacy/systems change, planning/organization, education, networking, resource development and independent living service enhancement.

Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP)
Non-profit organization at Utah State University assisting individuals with disabilities.

Utah Center for Assistive Technology
Non-profit organization at the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation that assists individuals with disabilities.

Division of Service for People with Disabilities (DSPD)
Provides programs and services for people with disabilities including community living, day services, supported employment services, and other services.

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
Links to local Parent Centers which serve as resources for education and training for parents of children with disabilities; provide local conferences; provide support groups; provide autism information; assist parents in advocacy and finding school and other local services; and more. Funded by OSEP.

Utah Parent Center
A statewide non-profit organization, founded in 1984, to provide training, information, referral and assistance to parents of children and youth with ALL disabilities, including physical, mental, hearing, vision, learning, behavioral and emotional. Staff consists primarily of parents of children and youth with disabilities. The Center provides information on support and advocacy for families of children with special health care needs.

Utah School for the Deaf and the Blind
Home page for the school of the deaf and blind.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Assists and empowers eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain meaningful employment.

DisabilityInfo.gov
An online resource to the federal government's disability-related information and resources with links to agencies and organization in all states.

US Department of Transportation
Provides information for travelers. Hosts a Toll Free Hotline for air travelers with disabilities. Hotline Duty Officers provide general information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities. For information about the rights of persons with disabilities in air travel, or for help in resolving disability-related air travel problems, visit the web site at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/hotline.htm, or call the Hotline at: 1-800-778-4838.

Keeping It Real: How to Get the Supports You Need for the Life You Want
This curriculum supports students as the transition from high school to adulthood and provides information and tools relating to transition; self-assessment; supports; employment and careers; education and training; living arrangements, recreation and leisure; and resources; from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Services

Adult Day Care/Programs

See all Adult Day Care/Programs services providers (8) in our database.

Career Counseling

See all Career Counseling services providers (109) in our database.

College Disability Centers

See all College Disability Centers services providers (13) in our database.

Disability Employment

See all Disability Employment services providers (177) in our database.

Disability Transportation

See all Disability Transportation services providers (3) in our database.

Financial Counseling

See all Financial Counseling services providers (21) in our database.

Group Homes

See all Group Homes services providers (7) in our database.

Housing, Other

See all Housing, Other services providers (94) in our database.

Independent Living

See all Independent Living services providers (58) in our database.

Local Support Groups, Disability/Diag

See all Local Support Groups, Disability/Diag services providers (81) in our database.

Residential Services, Disability

See all Residential Services, Disability services providers (41) in our database.

State Disability Agencies

See all State Disability Agencies services providers (65) in our database.

Vocational Education

See all Vocational Education services providers (143) in our database.

For other services related to this condition, browse our Services categories or search our database.

Authors

Contributing Authors: Robin Pratt, 12/2005
Barbara Ward RN BS, 12/2005
Gina Pola-Money, 12/2005
Joyce Dolcourt, 12/2005
Kristine Ferguson, 12/2005
Teresa Such-Neibar DO, 12/2005
Lynn Foxx Pease, 12/2005
Helen Post, 12/2005
Roz Welch, 12/2005
Reviewing Author: Alfred Romeo RN, PhD, 11/2008
Content Last Updated: 12/2008

Funding/Support

Thank you to the Utah Medical Home Young Adult Advisory Committee for reviewing this section.