A healthy, thriving community represents each and every member, including people with disabilities, and offers the benefits of that community to all people regardless of race, culture, background, and religion. A community’s inclusion of people with disabilities forms a bond that allows all its members to experience a sense of worth and belonging.
Adults with disabilities and their families are increasingly looking at a variety of supports to help them contribute and live as independently as they can—whether that’s in their own homes, in an apartment with roommates, or with their families. Supports can include assistive technology; assistance from a disability service provider; community, state, and federal benefits; and/or help from friends and relatives.
Everyone needs a little help. Someone to mow the grass, a housekeeper now and then, rides to work, those are all forms of support that help us live in our homes and in our communities.
If you're a person with a disability or a family member supporting a person with a disability, the trick is to recognize and accept the right types of supports that can help you sustain your independence. You may need one type of support while your neighbor or your roommate needs something else.
This page is all about identifying the supports you'll need and planning for a life of independence--however you define that for yourself.
Adria's Notebook—Blog posts that give insight into living independently with disabilities, told from the personal perspective of Adria Nassim, Research Assistant from the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.
Indiana Centers for Independent Living—a list of the state's non-profit agencies that promote empowerment and an independent living philosophy. Each center's service and focus may vary, so ask questions! See also the Indiana Resource Center for Autism's article, "What Are Independent Living Centers?" which presents an overview of the types of services and programs that may be available through Indiana's 10 centers.
Rolling Out the Welcome Mat: Finding a Community to Thrive in and Call Home—a blog post from "Adria's Notebook."
Self-Advocates of Indiana—people with disabilities who "speak out, advocate, and educate for respect and inclusion for all in the community."
2810 E Discovery Parkway
Bloomington IN 47408 812-855-6508
812-855-9630 (fax) Sitemap
Center Director: Judith Gross, Ph.D.
Email: cclc@indiana.edu
