Resources by Topic >> Independent Living

The Capitol Hill Supportive Services Program (CHSSP) helps individuals with disabilities in the following areas:

• Employment
• Independent Living
• Intake and Assessment

Accessible Resources for Independence, Inc., (ARI) provides support and services to people with disabilities in Anne Arundel and Howard counties in Maryland. ARI serves persons of any age and with any disabilities, including children, the elderly and veterans by providing at least four core services. These are:

• Advocacy
• Information and Referral
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Peer Counseling

Services and support designed to foster independent living include:

• Equal Access
• Removal of physical and attitudinal barriers
• Affordable and accessible housing search
• Accessible transportation
• Equal opportunities for employment

The Arc Montgomery County identifies, creates and sustains inclusive communities that embrace and engage individuals and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Membership organization that offers a lifetime of support, understanding, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families by providing support through a variety of programs and services that match each person or family’s individual needs. Supports the Family Circles Program for families with children and youth who have disabilities by proving a series of services designed to meet training and education, advocacy, and emotional wellness needs.

ASAN has published a toolkit for advocates, families and administrators on how to ensure that people with disabilities receive Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services in integrated settings that offer full access to the community.

ASAN’s new toolkit includes:

• A Resource for Advocates and their Families explaining what the new rule means and how to make their voices heard as their states make plans to comply with the new rule. The resource includes scripts for writing to state Medicaid agencies about how they’d like their state’s HCBS program to change.
• A Resource for State Administrators and Professionals on how to come into compliance with the new rule. This resource includes detailed guidance on the implications of the new rule, suggestions for elements to be included in the transition plan, and examples of useful tools and questionnaires for assessing provider compliance.
• A Research Brief explaining how scattered-site supported housing can help states meet the integration and choice standards in the New Rule.
• A Fact Sheet on integrated housing for people with disabilities.

Helps the blind or visually impaired population of the greater Washington region overcome the challenges of vision loss, enabling them to remain independent, active, and productive. Programs and services include training and consultation in assistive technology, employment marketing skills training, career placement services, comprehensive low-vision care, and a wide range of counseling and rehabilitation services.

Published by Home Advisor, this article lists the national minimum, average, and maximum costs of various home disability accommodation projects, including:

• Ramp construction and repair
• Doorway modification
• Elevator installation and repair
• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling

The article also highlights other key considerations associated with each project, such as:

• Types of materials
• Specifications
• And more

• Disability benefits (guides, programs, applications, etc.)
• Civil rights (ADA information, accessibility guidelines, employment rights, complaint procedures, etc.)
• Community life (history of the independent living movement, personal care assistance services, sports and leisure activities, etc.)
• Education (IDEA and IEP information, teaching materials and strategies, classroom supports, college prep, etc.)
• Emergency preparedness (inclusive emergency planning, disaster recovery assistance, emergency service accessibility, etc.)
• Employment (career planning, workforce development, internship programs, hiring and recruiting information, etc.)
• Health care (disability and condition information, services and providers, caregiving options, financial assistance, etc.)
• Housing (housing laws, home buying guides, supportive housing options, home modification, etc.)
• Technology (accessible technology guidelines and standards, assistive information technology, assistive educational technology, financial assistance, etc.)
• Transportation (laws, travel guides, providers, vehicle modification, safety and complaint procedures, etc.)

The Mission of the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, Inc. (ECNV) is to empower people with disabilities to live independently.

Our goals are to enable individuals with disabilities to:

• improve the quality of their lives;
• determine their own lifestyles;
• participate in all aspects of society;
• secure their human and civil rights;
• exercise self advocacy; and
• ensure a system for consumer control and policy direction

This guide, written by the Arc of Northern Virginia, covers the following key issues:

• When to start preparing for entry into the workforce.
• What you need to know to prepare for and stay on the job.
• Whether working will affect your child’s benefits.
• Which steps to take now to protect your loved one’s financial future.
• How he or she will get around.

This guide, written by the Arc of Northern Virginia, addresses the following issues:

• Who qualifies for government housing support.
• What publicly financed housing is available.
• How different options work.
• Whether support services can be integrated with housing.
• Which steps to take now to protect your loved one’s financial future.

This improvenet article offers fire safety tips and resources for people who are:

• blind or have low vision
• deaf or hard-of-hearing
• physically disabled
• cognitively impaired

This guide is designed to be a tool to assist those fearing their disability may become a factor in making the home buying experience more cumbersome. You will find information on what your rights are, resources to aid you in understanding the procedures involved in acquiring a home, and advice on how to proceed if you feel your rights have been dishonored. Additionally, you will find resources to make the most of the opportunities available to you for purchasing a home, whether your plans are to purchase your first house or to relocate from your current residence to your dream home.

The Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC) helps girls to promote diversity, gain practical life skills, and connect with their community through a variety of artistic, educational, and environmental events. Some of these events include:

• Photography expos
• College and career conferences
• Nature workshops

This resource guide was created for people with disabilities and designed to provide moving advice that touches on their unique needs when changing residences.

The HEATH Resource Center gathers and provides information about national, post-secondary education supports for individuals with disabilities. The Center:

• Participates in national conferences, trainings, and workshops
• Develops training modules
• Publishes resource papers, factsheets, guides, directories, and website information on accessibility, accommodations, financial aid, career development, independent living, and rehabilitation
• Fosters a network of disability professionals

The HEATH Resource Center is managed by George Washington University's Graduate School of Education and Human Development in partnership with the HSC Foundation and the National Youth Transitions Center.

This fact sheet from AARP explains home modifications and how they can increase accessibility and safety for older adults so they can stay in their homes. It also addresses common home modifications needed for older adults and how to get assistance to pay for them.

Emergencies can happen at a moment's notice. Mobility problems and hearing, learning, or seeing disabilities can add complication. It is important to plan ahead so you are better prepared for any urgent situation. Our booklet Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs gives tips on getting informed, making a plan, assembling a kit, and keeping your plans up to date.

These tips provide people with disabilities and their caregivers with guidance in managing communications, equipment, pets and home hazards. The materials were co-authored by the American Red Cross and Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.

The Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center hosts and links to numerous resources relevant to families across the country at its website. The family-centered search feature allows users to filter resources by topic, format, audience, and grade.

Integrated Living Opportunities (ILO) is a network of parents of young adults with disabilities, seeking to support each other with the goal of creating full lives for our family members in an integrated and inclusive community.

• ILO will help you find and create housing for your family member with special needs, help you identify and secure the supports needed for that individual to integrate successfully into the community and live independently, and ensure that the personal circles of support are sustainable while you are alive and after you are gone.
• ILO will establish lifelong advocacy for your child with special needs, and will continue to advocate for and facilitate personal networks of support for your child after you are gone.
• ILO will facilitate committees that will create and organize recreational, social and life skills classes in specific areas of community-based housing.
• ILO will provide its members with the opportunity to attend free workshops in life planning, estate planning, employment, government benefits and other relevant topics to stay abreast of all essential topics in special needs.
• ILO will help with the budgeting process for acquiring a home. If you are interested in purchasing or renting a home to create community-based housing for your family member with disabilities, ILO can help with this process. In addition to helping families financially plan for this process, ILO will educate families as to how to access financial support for purchasing this home, i.e. mortgage information for individuals with disabilities, housing vouchers, etc. ILO will also provide valuable information on the different programs existing in your area which can help you acquire financing or qualify for different programs. An example of one of these types of programs is the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) program in Maryland.

Sponsored by Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, The Jenny Hatch Justice Project (JHJP) supports the right of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to make decisions about their lives. JHJP provides access to:

• Recent research publications on independent living services and alternatives to guardianship
• Informative brochures on decision-making
• A sample training program
• Legal, educational, and transition resources

LAYC provides multi-lingual, culturally sensitive programs in the following areas:

• Educational Enhancement
• Social Services
• Workforce Investment
• Community Wellness
• Art + Media
• Advocacy

Linden provides rehabilitative services to people with disabilities that help them get and keep community jobs with a wide variety of small, medium and large businesses, government agencies and within Linden’s own commercial printing and warehousing businesses.

M&L Special Needs Planning's Independent Living Program and Housing Project is an online database that contains the current program, eligibility, funding, and contact information for housing/independent living service providers all across the country. The database is available to users through one of four payment plans:

• Monthly for $9.99
• Quarterly for $27.49
• Semi-annual for $49.00
• Annual for $94.99

Users will have access to:

• Program, provider, and policy updates
• Current housing news, articles, studies, and reports
• Instructional videos
• Resource links

At M&L Special Needs Planning, we feel that access to the right information is the key to planning a successful future. In keeping with our goal to keep you informed, and to provide you with the tools to enable you to plan a happy and successful future for your family, we have compiled a list of special needs resources.

How do YOU get where you need to go? Learning how to ride public transit provides individuals with disabilities a multitude of benefits: increased independence and confidence, increased opportunities for vocational, educational and social pursuits, and the development of important life-long independent living skills. MTM's On the Move program operates under a contract with Metro to provide intensive and personalized one-on-one travel training services to individuals with disabilities in Washington DC. During travel training activities, our travel trainers work with each individual to increase their travel skills so they can safely and independently ride buses and trains to their chosen destination. For some, travel training may be completed in a short amount of time; for others, it may take longer to learn and be comfortable riding their route independently. We work closely with the individual as well as those involved in their care to ensure that training is comprehensive and satisfactory.

Participating individuals must be eligible for either Metro's Reduced Fare program or MetroAccess. Participation in travel training is free and does not affect an individual's eligibility for MetroAccess.

NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.

National Disability Institute is most recognized for harnessing the power of collaboration with government, financial institutions, the business community, community nonprofits, and institutions of higher education to advance new opportunities for work, income production, savings, and asset building for people with disabilities.

What We Do
NDI's tools for change include public education, policy development, training and technical assistance activities, and innovation pilots and demonstrations.

Our Core Competencies

• Tax Preparation
• Financial Education
• Asset Development
• Employment
• Public Benefits Planning
• Public Policy

Our Priorities

• Improve collaboration across federal agencies to advance a better economic future for individuals with disabilities.
• Align public policy to promote work, saving and asset accumulation.
• Develop and document pathways to improved economic self-sufficiency for youth and adults with disabilities.
• Inform, educate and improve financial capability of youth and adults with disabilities.
• Build and grow the Real Economic Impact Network through marketing and outreach activities and innovative projects.

Powered by Student Veterans of America and in conjunction with The HSC Foundation, the National Veterans Center’s (NVC) mission is to empower military veterans to reach their full potential. This partnership between non-profit organizations accomplishes its mission by acting as a central conduit that pairs service providers from the public and private sector with veterans and military families seeking resources. The NVC serves as America’s laboratory for developing, testing, and digitally delivering new solutions to veterans in order to assist them with overcoming disability, completing their education, finding meaningful employment, and thriving in their communities.

The National Youth Transitions Conference Support Fund is jointly will be used to support youth participation and/or programming at conferences and seminars related to the transition of youth with disabilities from school to work and independent living.

Requests for Support will be received, reviewed, and approved jointly by the staff of HSCF and MEAF. Support is restricted to members of the Youth Transitions Collaborative and priority given to those members that are engaged and active participants of the Collaborative. Organizations that are approved for support agree to acknowledge the funding in all written materials including websites and social mediums by stating, "Jointly funded by The HSC Foundation and the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation through the Youth Transitions Collaborative".

To apply, please submit requests in writing by email to Son Park McBride or Kevin Webb

Indicate in your request:

• How the funds for the conference/seminar will help young people and young veterans successfully transition to work and independent living,
• How many people will be impacted by your event, and
• What recognition HSCF & MEAF will receive.

Requests up to $5,000 in support will be considered, but we encourage you to indicate different levels of support that are available for your event. The National Youth Transitions Conference Support Fund is limited to a total of $20,000 for the 2014 calendar year. Once these funds are expended, HSCF and MEAF will notify Collaborative members that no more requests will be considered.

Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities is an advocacy organization that is an independent catalyst for change in the lives of people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Quality Trust advocates, monitors, provides legal education, training, and family navigation to residents of the District of Columbia.

Riverview School, an independent coeducational boarding/day school, provides a caring community for adolescents and young adults with complex language, learning and cognitive disabilities. The School is committed to developing student competence and confidence in academic, social and independent living skills.

This article discusses routines and why they are good for children with disability. It also provides tips for getting the most out of your routines and for helping your child follow them.

This guide, written by the Arc of Northern Virginia, will help you answer the following questions:

• Who’s in charge of key life decisions.
• Whether your adult child is eligible for government support.
• What kind of jobs and day support programs are available.
• Which recreational activities are best.
• How he or she will get around.
• Where they’ll live.

ServiceSource is a leading nonprofit disability resource organization with regional offices and programs located in nine states and the District of Columbia. We serve more than 15,700 individuals with disabilities annually through a range of innovative and valued employment, training, rehabilitation, housing and other support services. ServiceSource directly employs more than 1,500 individuals on government and commercial affirmative employment contracts, making us one of the largest employers of people with disabilities nationwide.

Whether you are an individual with a disability, a government contracting officer or a local business owner, ServiceSource is committed to meeting or exceeding your needs and expectations.

This webpage offers a series of educative articles, compiled by Five 9 Call Center Software, on hearing impairment and accessibility issues. These articles provide specific information about:

• The history of telecommunications devices
• Telephone relay services
• Using a TTY system
• Accessing 9-1-1 emergency services
• Ongoing efforts to improve telecommunication
• Overcoming isolation through social media
• Making distance learning courses more inclusive
• The challenges of communicating in the workplace
• Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act

This webpage also offers informative resources related to hearing impairment. These resources include:

• Webpages devoted to deaf culture
• Reviews of assistive technology products
• A database of closed-captioned, educational DVDs

This HUD.gov webpage:

• Summarizes the purpose and history of the The Fair Housing Act
• Summarizes HUD's role in administering The Fair Housing Act
• Highlights significant, recent changes made to the Fair Housing Act
• Provides an overview of the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP)
• Specifies regulations for HUD employees and contractors

VCare, LLC provides professional and in-home developmental disability training and consulting services in the following areas:

• Special Education
• Nursing
• Transitional Living
• Employment
• Recreation

At Volunteers of America, we are more than a nonprofit organization. We are a ministry of service that includes nearly 16,000 paid, professional employees dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through our hundreds of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America touches the lives of more than 2 million people in over 400 communities in 46 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico each year. Since 1896, we have supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including veterans, at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart — and ultimately the spirit — of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.

Those We Serve

• Children, Youth and Families
• Homeless People
• Older Adults
• People with Behavioral Health Issues
• People with Disabilities
• Veterans
• Formerly Incarcerated

Focus Areas

• Assistance with Basic Needs
• Community Outreach and Investment
• Correctional Re-Entry Services
• Housing
• Mental Health
• Senior Living and Care
• Substance Abuse

Home modifications may involve converting or adapting your environment so you can live independently. This section of “Disability.gov’s Guide to Housing” lists resources and organizations that will help you get information about making your home accessible.

A Wider Circle assists individuals and families in transition by providing:

• Free enrollment in intensive, multi-session job preparedness, financial planning, stress management, nutrition, and parenting
• Homegoods to formerly homeless families and veterans
• Emergency response for new mothers, victims of fires or crime
• Shelter enhancements (e.g., painting and landscaping)
• Holiday food baskets and toys