YOU
CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY
Living
independently is an aspiration of all youths transitioning into their adult
lives. Your disability does not have to stop you from meeting that dream,
with the resources and information provided in this blog we hope that you can
start the journey of finding what environment best fits your needs and wants
while still allowing your independence. We feel that self-determination
and self-advocacy is important to accomplish your dreams of living
independently. It is a hard transition and struggling for any young adult
to break out on their own and carve their own path but it is not impossible no
matter the struggles you may have to overcome. These next few videos show
people with disabilities living independently; many who may face the same
struggle that you face. We hope these videos are inspiring and show you
that anything can be accomplished.
SOME INFORMATION TO GET YOU STARTED LIVING INDEPENDENTLY:
If
you are a youth in Foster Care - Do you have an ILP?
Independent Living Plan = a requirement by
Federal Law for youths in Foster care, 16 years (including youths with
disabilities). The plan describes the
programs and services needed to transition from Foster Care to Independent Living.
Where and how do I get a ILP?
The
ILP will be administrated by your Caseworker and Independent Living Staff to
help you create your own plan to get you prepared for transition into
Independent Living. The Passage from Youth to Adulthood is
a guide to services and information specifically for young people with
disabilities who have been through the Foster Care system. See page 14 in the guide for detailed
information regarding “How Is Transition Planned”?
(The publication is available
in other accessible formats. Call Advocacy Center, Inc 1-800-342-0823)
Click on the link for a Independent living checklist to help you get organized.
There are Individualized Housing Options:
There are a variety of living
options for students in their postsecondary lives. Such options fall under three main categories
including (a) independent living, (b) supported living, (c) and dependent
living. When deciding which option best
suits your needs, it is important to speak with members of your IEP team, family
members, and any outside agencies which could assist you in this transition
process. You may also find it helpful to
ask yourself these questions when deciding with housing option best
accommodates your lifestyle:
1. What are your goals for living away from home?
2. Where do you see yourself after you leave school and in five years
from now?
3. What types of things do you like to do in the community?
4. How will you pat to live on your own?
A. Independent Living
Independent living entails living
on your own with little or no help from friends or family. A variety of skills are required to
successfully live independently, such as:
1. Managing finances
2. Selecting, managing, and maintaining a home
3. Caring for personal needs
4. Buying and preparing food
5. Buying and washing clothes
6. Participating in community activities/ using recreation and leisure
7. Mobility/transportation in the community
While living independently it is
also essential to create a support network comprised of relatives, neighbors,
friends, coworkers and so on. Having
this support ensures assistance when you might not have it otherwise. Providing your support team with emergency
documents, plans, and communication systems can provide safety in emergency
situations.
B. Supported Living
Supported living is appropriate
for students who have goals of living independently but require ongoing support
services. Services for individuals
living in supported living communities may include, assistance with daily
living activities such as meal preparation, household cleaning, arranging
medical services choosing a home, building interpersonal relationships,
participating in community activities, and emergency plans.
C. Dependent Living
Dependent living is characterized
as students with disabilities living full time with one or more individuals who
assist them with all basic daily tasks.
This might take place in within a community home or within one’s own
home.
Financial Aid Available for Education:
Federal Student Aid funded by the Office of the U.S.
Department of Education, is a website full of valuable information for any
student looking to take on a particular career path. Federal student aid
programs provide endless options and tools that are necessary to understand for
any student with disabilities. Not only does this website educate students on
the eligibility criteria necessary to be awarded financial aid, but it lists
several options and programs that would be extremely helpful for any student
wanting to become financially aware.
This government sponsored site
also provides visuals that are easy to understand in terms of meeting
eligibility criteria. The cartoon type maps, visuals, and short text allow any
student to connect the written information with these visuals. Since this site
is funded by the Office of the U.S. Department of Education all the information
located on this website is under the proper laws and jurisdiction for the
rights of people with disabilities. Federal student aid provides endless
opportunities for people with disabilities to further their dreams of obtaining
a career.
A
Budgeting Tool for Planning a Financial Schedule:
Smart
sheet is an incredibly interactive website that provides hands-on help and
templates that are
useful when
students are focusing on financial budgeting. Using one of the many interactive
charts on this
website can
allow students with disabilities to formulate their own financial schedule and
budgeting goals
for
independent living. The best part of this website is that it can also be used
for so many other facets for
obtaining
order.
A Group Home Option to Consider for
Independent Living:
Angelwood is a group home that offers summer camps, supported
living and supported employment. This home is an all-around win for people that
need services. Angelwood provides homes around the city and located in
residential neighborhoods. Angelwood provides 24-hour supervision and
assistance to meet every individuals personal goals. In other words people with
disabilities are getting more training everyday so that they can reach their
own personal goals of being as independent as they can. Angelwood also handles
all the medical and dental appointments, provides nursing services and
transportation to the appointments and to group outings. Their mission is not
improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.
Learning Independent Living and Interdependent
Skills:
Independent living is a very
important part in becoming an adult and being successful in life. Many students
with disabilities can have a hard time with this skill if they are not properly
prepared or do not have the appropriate supports. The Arc of Jacksonville
provides individual advocacy, programs, services, and supports for people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc
provides independent living mentors that help students with disabilities learn
to grocery shop, wash clothes, clean their living areas, and learn organization
skills that are needed in the home. These mentors stop in several times a week
to provide assistance. One of the Arc’s chapters is located at UNF with the On
Campus Transition Program. The Arc also implements several national programs
that are funded through grants and the government. One of those programs is
“School to Community Transition Initiative” which promotes independent living
in the community and provides research about issues students face during
transition. They are also working on creating a national database to raise
awareness on best practices and identifying emerging trends in transition.
Transportation
Available:
In the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Transit Authority offers a program known as Connexion, which offers transportation for individuals with disabilities. JTA's paratransit service, is comparable service under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) for people with disabilities who are functionally unable to use regular accessible fixed route bus service for some or all of their transportation needs, and for people who are transportation disadvantaged. Individuals can schedule specific travel times and routs to travel around the city. The flowing link is a guide to using the Connexion program along with the contact information to schedule a pick up.
- Dial-A-Ride at the Beaches
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Jacksonville Transportation Authority
- State of Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
- U.S. Department of Transportation
Options to assist with your Healthcare:
http://www.floridahousing.org/SpecialNeeds/ContentPage.aspx?PAGE=OtherResources%20-%20Disabled%20Page
Florida Needs Housing Website provides information on
programs regarding:
·
HUD
·
Florida Agency for Persons with
Disabilities
·
The Florida Supportive Coalition
·
The National Supportive Housing Network
Medicaid
is a government funded health program for families or individuals with low or
limited income. The Medicaid site
provides a tool to check if you are eligible for services.
Florida Department of Children and Families web-site
provides information regarding assistance for food or temporary cash assistance
for low income or individuals with disabilities.
