INDEPENDENT LIVING

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0ZkYVadm8g  (Roman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFgOAWohS0k    (Andrea)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtcJHimkmlY   (Driving Accommodation/Modifications)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOivFN4tUAU  (Ricky)

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.

http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/2010IndiLivingChecklist_PAS.pdf

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:

 

http://studentaid.ed.gov/

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:

https://www.smartsheet.com/

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:

http://angelwoodjax.org/cms/#

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:

http://www.thearc.org/

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:

     

 http://www.jtafla.com/pdf/CTCquickreferenceguide%20032508.pdf

 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.

The following link also provides additional information about the Connexion program and even offers a link where individuals can view the current location of the shuttle around town.

http://www.jtafla.com/Schedules/showPage.aspx?Sel=9

 Additional transportation programs throughout the First Coast area include:

• 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

http://www.medicaid.gov/

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.

http://apd.myflorida.com/planning-resources/resources-directory/state-agencies-serving-people-with-disabilities.htm 

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.