Classroom Converted Into Simulated Apartment To Boost Life Skills

 The simulated apartment is designed to provide a realistic and engaging environment where students with disabilities can learn daily living skills like food prep, personal hygiene, budgeting and more. Read More >

Family Building Apartment For Son With Autism

 Determined to find a way for their 21-year-old son with autism to learn to live independently, one family opted to build an apartment, doing much of the labor themselves. Read More >

After 20 Years, 'Intentional Community' For Those With Disabilities Breaks Ground

 A group of families who came together at Special Olympics events decades ago is starting to see their dream of an affordable housing community for people with disabilities come to fruition. Read More >

With Self-Direction, People With Disabilities Gain Control

A model known as self-directed Medicaid benefits shifts the balance of power away from insurers and government bureaucrats, empowering individuals with disabilities to make their own choices. Read More ;

Pandemic Upends The Lives Of People With Disabilities — And Of Their Caregivers

Already facing a shortage of caregivers, the pandemic is further wreaking havoc on the lives of people with disabilities who rely on others in order to work and live independently. Read More >

As Caregivers Age, People With Disabilities See Few Housing Options

A national study finds housing choices are limited for people with developmental disabilities who often get little say about where they might live when they leave home. Read More >

Remote Monitoring Offering Adults With Disabilities More Independence

With the help of video cameras, sensors and other devices, people with developmental disabilities who once needed 24-hour supervision are now able to get some alone time at home. Read More;

Living With Mom And Dad May Impede Access To Autism Services

As more children with autism enter adulthood, new research finds that residing with family may predict more than anything how much access they have to services. Read More;

APPs that Support Independence

I have been following the work of AbleLink Technologies since I first saw them at a conference back in the late 90’s. I remember being captivated by their software applications on Personal Digital Assistants or PDAs, which helped people with cognitive disabilities increase their independent living and works skills.  Today the company is still at it with apps and software that they have continued to perfect over the past two decades.  In the next few blogs, I will talk about their current apps for independence.   from North Dakota assistive technology blog.  ndipat.org/blog/ablelink-apps-create-independence-part-1/  

Report Finds People With Developmental Disabilities Dying In State Care

The state of Georgia continues to have people with developmental disabilities die while under state care, with 160 deaths in the past fiscal year, according to a court-appointed observer. Read More;

Smart Home Products Prove Useful For Those With Special Needs

Smart home products are often marketed for their convenience, but the technology can also help people with disabilities become more independent. Read More >

Amazon’s Take on Home Automation

The Amazon Echo is an exciting new product with the potential to provide greater independence to individuals with disabilities in their home. It functions as a home's central command center, allowing someone to turn lights on or off, check the weather, add items to their grocery list & more, by using their voice. It ’s extremely sensitive microphone can detect someone's voice from rooms far away, & will speak aloud any answers to questions or commands. It can also connect to other devices & online services, & has a companion smartphone app that helps control & customize the device.

Being Autonomous - The Positive Impact Technology Can Have on Autonomy

 The site features powerful testimony from people with disabilities. Could technology make a difference for the people with disabilities in your life?  http://beingautonomous.com/

Canadian program offers autism services for all ages in one location

With the help of a $100 million endowment, The Child Development Centre in Calgary, Canada, offers free services ranging from diagnosis to therapy for children and adults with autism. For instance, the Ability Hub, housed at the center, offers training in independent living and job skills to help teenagers transition to adulthood. Ottawa Citizen (Ontario) (2/17) http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Calgary+stop+shop+autism+services/7972263/story.html

Woman With Disability Battles Mother Over Independent Living

In a hotly-contested case, a court is set to decide whether a 28-year-old with Down syndrome or her mom should determine if the young woman lives in a group home or with her friends.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/02/08/woman-battles-mother-living/17272/

"Community for All" tool kit: Resources for supporting community living.

This tool kit was developed through the collaboration of seven very well-known organizations working on behalf of those with intellectual disabilities. In their words, "We, the undersigned, are committed to assuring that people with disabilities have the supports needed to design and achieve lives of quality and meaning. Such lives are characterized by opportunity, inclusion, and participation."

http://thechp.syr.edu/toolkit/

Students Developing Tools to Help Adults w/ Autism

Industrial Design students from the NC State University College of Design worked with autism experts at the Creative Living Center in Chapel Hill, NC, to design new tools to help adults living with autism become more independent.

http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/video-industrial-design-students-helping-those-autism-2999302