Independent Living
Financial Supports
Housing and Independent Living
- Physical and cognitive abilities
- Independent living skills
- Finances and financial aid
- Family and caregiver support
- Comfort with different living arrangements
- Full-time or part-time employment
- College, vocational schools, or other training programs
- Day programs
- Volunteer programs
- Recreational activities
Living with Parents/Family
- The young adult's disability and independence skills
- The family members' skills and ability to care for the young adult
- If the young adult will work, and if so, where?
- Transportation to work, health care, recreation, and other places
- How the young adult will pay for housing and other expenses
- The total costs of housing, utilities, food, transportation, recreation, and other living expenses
- The young adult’s eligibility for care and support services and how different living options may support or risk eligibility
Community Living Supports
Residential Services
- live at home
- or in a supportive setting, at a lower cost than living in an assisted living facility.
Assisted Living
- Level of care
- Types of disabilities served
- 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 work opportunities
- Place in the community or distance from family and friends
- The feel of the facility (like a hospital or a home)
Group Homes
- Household chores
- Choices for work
- Transportation options
- Options for personal care/support
- Curfews
- Accessible rooms
- Emergency plans
- Staffing levels
- Daily routines
Home-Ownership/Renting
Section 8 Housing
- Community development agencies
- Resources for making a home accessible
- Financial assistance and savings programs
Transportation
Money Management
- identifying the value of coins and paper money
- making change
- managing income from employment or programs like SSI
- paying bills
- writing checks
- saving money
- balancing bank accounts
Employment
Social and Recreation
Sexuality
Spirituality
Guardianship
Health Care Funding
Personal Needs
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Provides information and advocacy for independent living with links to locate state or local independent living centers.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (DOE)
Parent Centers in every state provide training to parents of children with disabilities and provide information about special
education, transition to adulthood, health care, support groups, local conferences, and other federal, state, and local services.
See the "Find Your Parent Center Link" to find the parent center in your state; Department of Education, Office of Special
Education.
Disability Resources
US Department of Labor's Disability Resources web page.
See also Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) homepage: https://www.dol.gov/odep/
Youth Leadership Toolkit
Guidebook to go with videos by and for youth and young adults to help them learn about employment and related topics in an
easy access online format. Developed by the Center for Persons with Disabilities and the Becoming Leaders for Tomorrow Project
in collaboration with the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU). Videos available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp3WC9HvngxfKsG-YdS0LwzNTHcnnlW5Q.
Competencies for Young People Transitioning (TEACH) ( 24 KB)
A suggested list of competencies that young adults should have as they transition to post-secondary school or work. Topics
include health condition, medical providers, insurance, independent living, recreation, and other general skills; Kentucky
TEACH Project.
HUD.GOV
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development page for Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Services for Patients & Families Nationwide (NW)
Service Categories | # of providers* in: | NW | Partner states (5) (show) | | NM | NV | OH | RI | UT | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Day Programs | 7 | 18 | 2 | 19 | ||||||
College Disability Centers | 3 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 16 | ||||
Disability Related Employment Programs | 5 | 23 | 21 | 5 | 17 | 79 | ||||
Disability Related Transportation | 3 | 10 | 35 | 3 | 10 | 21 | ||||
Financial Education & Counseling | 7 | 10 | 35 | 7 | 11 | 28 | ||||
Housing, Other | 5 | 7 | 146 | 5 | 10 | 106 | ||||
Independent Living Arrangements & Skills | 1 | 18 | 66 | 1 | 23 | 95 | ||||
In Home Assistance | 1 | 3 | 49 | 1 | 3 | 12 | ||||
Local Support Groups, Disability/Diag | 8 | 20 | 45 | 8 | 22 | 106 | ||||
Supportive Housing & Residential Care Homes | 13 | 3 | 6 | 37 | ||||||
Vocational Education | 1 | 9 | 45 | 1 | 10 | 75 |
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Authors & Reviewers
Author: | Alfred N. Romeo, RN, PhD |
Contributing Authors: | Robin Pratt |
Barbara Ward, RN BS | |
Gina Pola-Money | |
Joyce Dolcourt | |
Kristine Ferguson | |
Teresa Such-Neibar, DO | |
Lynn Foxx Pease | |
Helen Post | |
Roz Welch | |
Reviewer: | Tina Persels |
2019: update: Tina PerselsR |
2008: first version: Alfred N. Romeo, RN, PhDR |