RESOURCES

A report of the 2012 National Survey on Abuse of Individuals with Disabilities. The mission of this study is to identify ways to reduce the risk of abuse, to promote healing for victims, and to seek justice for those who have been victimized. Statistics of abuse are broken down by type of disability.

The presentation was prepared by Desiree Kameka and presented at the 2016 ACCSES Conference in Washington, DC. It contains:

1. Where to find direct information about HCBS Final Rule, Guidance, and STP’s
2. What we know from State Transition Plans
3. Guidance from CMS and its challenges
4. Are you ready for the assessment of your HCBS setting?
5. Where you can find impactful state-specific statistics to advocate for policy that increases options and decreases barriers to housing and support choices

An informational guide and checklists for the people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers to understand their rights and help them plan better for their future. The guide includes an individual assessment to get started. Other sections include:

• Person-Centered Planning Guide including transition and employment planning
• Individual Checklists including housing and workplace needs
• Looking at Life Quality
• Ideas on Making Things Easier
• Supporting Self Advocacy

The Lifespan Transitions Center offers resources, training, technical assistance, and consultation to support the successful transition of individuals with autism and multiple disabilities throughout their school careers and into their adult lives. Resources address community living and employment.

This webinar will help you learn what disability advocates need to know about changes in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s (WIOA’s) Equal Opportunity Provisions (Section 188).

Hear directly from the Department of Labor’s Civil Rights Center and Office of Disability Employment Policy staff about changes to the provisions, Department of Labor’s Promising Practices in Achieving Universal Access and Equal Opportunity: A Section 188 Disability Reference Guide and how the state of Missouri is using the Disability Reference Guide to promote equal opportunity and the inclusion of people with disabilities in workforce services.

Focusing on accessibility creates inclusion, giving all individuals opportunities to participate in events or access information. Ensuring accessibility during the planning process of an event or while creating written materials is essential. 20% of people in the US are deaf/hard of hearing—that’s 48 million Americans; more than 1 million people in the US are blind and over 12 million have low vision; and more than 5 million people are Limited English Proficient—all whom benefit from accessibility practices. Many people use assistive technology to help access information, such as screen readers, magnifiers, braille displays, ASL translations, captions, and many more devices. These devices allow people with disabilities to access information and events; however, the creator of the materials and events needs to take steps for these assistive technologies to work best and to ensure inclusion of people with a variety of abilities.

Self-advocate and MHAF staffer, Kyle Gosweiler, discusses autism and sleep problems and offers some suggestions for a good night’s sleep.

A simple budgeting toolkit for “self-advocates to understand how the federal budget gets made—so” they “can advocate for a budget that includes money for programs that help” them.
Derived from the website: https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/budget/.

Even in settings that that are supposed to be enjoyable, people with autism usually react negatively because they haven’t experienced them before.  Self-Advocate and MHAF staff member, Kyle Gosweiler, offers his personal perspective and information about novel situations.

Established in 1982 to investigate the determinants of public spending for intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services in the United States, the project maintains a 37-year longitudinal record of revenue, spending, and programmatic trends in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States as a whole. Analysis of the rich detail of the data base reveals the impact over time of federal and state fiscal policy, and illustrates important service delivery trends in the states in community living, public and private residential institutions, family support, supported employment, supported living, Medicaid Waivers, demographics, and related areas. The website features very informative ‘State Profiles’ that offers data from the study in a visual format.

The interests, support needs and employment goals of those with I/DD are diverse. States are developing new policies that meet new federal guidelines.  This blog post discusses the need for flexible and diverse employment options.

Recognizing the need to support those with Smith-Magenis Syndrome beyond school-age years, PRISMS formed a workgroup chartered to explore residential life post “high school” and to create a publication for the SMS community. This group included parents of adults with SMS and professionals skilled in developing residential services. The guidebook includes information about a variety of residential programs, both in the home and in the community, helpful “how-to” suggestions for finding support and funding, and case studies contributed by families from across the country. These case studies provide personal insights about the benefits and challenges of different living situations. Also touched on are how these young adults spend their days. This guidebook was created with individuals who have SMS in mind, but is a helpful tool for those with any intellectual / developmental disability.

For young autistic adults and their families, not being able to find a job can be more than a temporary setback: it cranks up the fear of a lifetime of being stuck in a dependent and powerless place. This article looks at employment and what the autism community can do about this extremely widespread and important problem.

The author of this article is on the autism spectrum, and she has chosen to use identity-first language. 

This article is from The Atlantic.  For many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, campuses or farmsteads may be better options than small group homes. But new state laws could make it hard for these choices to remain options. This investigative journalist tries to answer the question, ‘Who Decides Where Autistic Adults Live?”

This report was developed to report to Congress about how the USA is meeting the demand of services and supports for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as they enter adulthood and recommendations for the future. The report identified federal programs and initiatives influencing transitioning youth and young adults with ASD. It describes a need for integrated, coordinated and research driven initiatives to better serve this population.

Although this guide is geared towards seniors, it does provide a broad state guide for Medicaid long term care programs nationwide as well as eligibility criteria. Medicaid programs are very detailed and state-specific. As the scope of this tool is not all encompassing, we recommend that anyone applying seeks help from local experts before taking action based on the information provided.

Think College is a national organization working for developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. The website through the innovative exchange pages provides important resources related to post secondary education for students with intellectual disability. Included topics are paying for college, vocational rehabilitation, employment and resources and information for families.

In this webinar, “I Can’t Pay That!” — Social Security over payments and Low-Income Clients, Justice in Aging attorneys review what those options are and the requirements for each. We cover the steps advocates can take to ensure the accuracy of an over payment claimed by SSA, to reduce or eliminate the amount taken by SSA, and to enforce clients’ due process rights.

This 2017 report from the Department of Education is a guide for seamless transition from school to post school activities of all students and youth with disabilities.

Sections of this guide include: transition planning with suggestions for opportunities and programs for success, transition services requirements for students under the IDEA and Rehabilitation Act, options after leaving secondary school regarding employment and education goals, how to prepare for adult life by supporting student-made decisions.

Learn the basics of applying for Social Security Disability benefits with this great online resource from Disability Secrets. Here you’ll find tips for applying for benefits, and forms for filing for disability. You can also find articles on over 500 medical conditions and the symptoms and limitations Social Security expects to see in someone with your medical condition. This website can connect you with SSDI attorneys in your area to help you work with your doctor, prepare your case, and win your appeal. The more you understand the Social Security disability approval system, the more likely you are to receive disability benefits.

This study examines rental housing discrimination on the basis of mental disabilities. The study shows that there is a significant levels of adverse differential treatment toward individuals with mental illness and intellectual or developmental disabilities when compared with individuals who didn’t have mental disabilities.

Search for low income apartments and waiting lists by your city, state, or zip code.

Affordable Housing online provides up-to-date information on low income housing, affordable housing, affordable apartments, subsidized housing, public housing and section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list information. Instructions on how to apply for for waiting lists and complete housing applications are also available.

Supporting Individuals and Families Information Systems Project (FISP) is a project working to gather and report information about supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The website also offers a list of links to helpful publications and family resources, and downloadable files and links for presentations and advocacy.

FISP establishes and refines a comprehensive program of annual data collection from states on family support, and conducts longitudinal data analysis, policy studies, and dissemination activities to better understand and promote effective supports for families and individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) who direct their own support.

A GPS & Voice-Monitoring solution designed for individuals with special needs. Some of it’s unique features include a daily inventory of locations, alerts when in an unfamiliar place, auto-call to first responders, ability to track indoors, as well as notification if they have not left school or work on time.

Read this 2017 report to get a snapshot of housing affordability for 5 key healthcare occupations. This edition of “Paycheck to Paycheck” focuses on the affordability challenges faced by medical professionals by highlighting healthcare support occupations that are vital to making our nation’s healthcare system run, but whose compensation is often not high enough to afford to rent or own a home near their place of work: home heath aid, physical therapy aide, emergency medical technician (EMT), dental assistants, and licensed practical nurse (LPN).

This report reviews the importance of each of these occupations, and offers policy solutions at the federal, state, and local levels. Meeting the housing needs of these workers is paramount if we are to keep up with our nation’s growing demand for health services.These occupations represent essential workers who serve their communities by providing medical care — at times even life-saving care.

Visit the website to  access the Paycheck to Paycheck 2017 database, or download the report.

‘Learn The Steps, Get Employed’ is a video module series in collaboration between Uptimize and the Autistic Global Initiative, a program of the Autism Research Institute. We have come together provide an accessible, fast and effective training resource for young people worldwide with ASD. You’ll learn everything you need to get hired to a job you really want.

The Manhattan Children’s Center (MCC) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) school for Autism education and treatment based in New York City. MCC provides world-class treatment and education to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Manhattan Children’s Center offers students development in their educational and social skills through a mix of individual and collaborative treatment in their classrooms, homes, and social environments.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is the most well known and sought after housing program in America. This handy guide will answers questions such as:

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for the Section 8 HCV Program?

How Do I Find an Open Section 8 Waiting List?

How Do I Apply to a Section 8 Waiting List?

What Happens After Applying to a Section 8 Waiting List

How Do I Find a Unit After Receiving My Voucher?

The Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or brain injuries. Their team was created to provide answers and give all types of assistance needed to help improve the quality of life for loved ones and family members with cerebral palsy.

The aim of this organization is to provide guidance for not only individuals who are affected, but their families as well, and help them as they transition through different stages in their lives. They are here to help the entire CP community with free guides and free resources.

CrowdRise is a fundraising tool that enables an individual or charity to quickly set up a fundraising webpage and/or campaigns to raise money online.

While special needs adults have a number of financial concerns that must be addressed, they also have some financial resources they can tap. Some of these resources are specific to older adults, and others are limited to special needs adults. If you are in a position of helping a senior citizen with special needs, this website provides some resources that are available to your loved one.

This public housing guide helps low income applicants understand public housing (one type of affordable housing), answer eligibility questions, how to find and apply for an open public housing waiting lists, and what happens after applying (such as confirmation and estimation of wait time).

Winner of the 2016 WAN Small Spaces Award, Wheel Pad® is an eco-friendly 200 square foot universally accessible modular addition (bed & bath) that can be temporarily or permanently attached to an existing home. With a mobile chassis base, Wheel Pad does not trigger zoning nor permit issues in most areas in the United States.  If necessary they will work with local zoning and building permit administrators regarding the use of and permitting for your project.

This project by LineSync Architecture, will support and enhance the lives and well-being for those who have lost mobility due to accident, illness or aging. Wheel Pad offers a supportive environment, while still importantly allowing a level of independence and privacy for the person in need. This remarkable temporary project can be attached to nearly any existing home through a backdoor or by removing the sill wall of a window.

Wheel Pad allows for easy travel from the bedroom to bathroom.  An integrated patient lift track adds another option for accessibility and some physical therapies. The pragmatic angling of the track dynamically enhances the space. This, and the strategically located glazing, makes the room feel more expansive. A pair of extension cords fully powers the space with heating, lighting, hot water and a waste pump with all control switches at wheelchair height. Water is supplied via an insulated Pirit Hose from the existing home. A black water tank can be pumped out like an RV, or easily attached to the existing home waste pipe system.

The 2018 Best Online Colleges for Students with Disabilities provides a comprehensive breakdown of accredited schools that offer online degree options for students with disabilities. This ranking takes into account level of support for online students with disabilities as well as the requirement of faculty training in universal design for learning.  These 55 colleges represent the most disability-friendly online schools for providing the highest level of support, the widest breadth of accommodations, and the most comprehensive resources for students with disabilities.

The Project-Based Section 8 program provides affordable apartment communities that are owned by private landlords with a rental subsidy that helps pay the rent for low income tenants. This handy guide will answer your questions about:

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for the Project-Based Section 8 Program?

How Do I Find an Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?

How Do I Apply to a Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?

What Happens After Applying to a Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?

“There are lots of great organizations working to help prevent and end homelessness and hunger across the country. Search NCH’s Directory of Member and Advocacy programs, or find further resources [provided on the link] below.”

The 2018 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Students with Disabilities ranks accredited institutions with online degrees that combine exceptional accommodations for students with disabilities and affordability. Beyond offering low-cost online degree options, these 25 schools provide superior resources and accommodations for students who experience disabilities from visual or hearing impairment to learning disabilities, among others.

In his latest book, bestselling permaculture author Toby Hemenway (Gaia’s Garden) demonstrates that the same nature-based approach that works to grow food—connecting the pieces of the landscape together in harmonious ways—applies perfectly to our need for water, shelter, energy, livelihood, and community.

As today’s population of children and adults with learning disabilities is growing, they need the same day-to-day life skills that everyone else needs to be functional. A basic life skills such as cooking, is essential to functioning better as an adult and becoming independent. Here are helpful hints to teaching life skills cooking. The recipe to success when teaching cooking is consistency, repetition, and patience with a large dash of humors.

The Low Income Housing Guide for Renters provides an easy to read step-by-step instructions for the entire application process – including eligibility, how to apply, and what happens after applying. Included housing programs are Section 8 Voucher Program, Public Housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and Project-Based Section 8.

Person-Centered Thinking training is an instructor based training focused on changing perspectives from caring for people to providing balanced support between what is important to a person and what is important for a person. The training is interactive in order to help participants change their thinking from a priority of fixing what is wrong with a person to supporting each person’s opportunities to share their gifts and live an everyday life. (NOTE: These free trainings were paid for by Colorado and have expired.)

Whether you’re caring for someone with a life-altering disability or have a senior loved one who is starting to notice the limitations of age, you may find that you need a little help in ensuring they maintain a good quality of life. Sometimes, that help comes in the form of assistive technology or those devices that help someone with a disability or age-related health concern navigate day-to-day life.

Although disabled individuals and seniors have their own unique concerns and goals, you’ll find quite a bit of overlap between the two groups as you start searching for assistive ethnology. Here’s your guide to everything you need to know about buying assistive technology smartly, so you aren’t left holding a big bill at the end of the day.

This PersonCentered Planning toolkit intends to provide individuals with developmental disabilities the tools necessary to achieve greater independence and interdependence while at the same time respecting their rights and preferences. It is also is intended to serve both as a reference for individuals already acquainted with Person-Centered Planning (PCP), and as a starting point for individuals new to Person-Centered Planning and Thinking. This toolkit has been designed to be used by individuals with developmental disabilities, and agency personnel and the families with whom they work.

An Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a special savings account for people with low incomes. When you save in an IDA, your savings are matched. This means that for every dollar that you save you can receive another dollar or more. While most organizations will provide a one-to-one match, others might provide up to an eight-to-one match.Typically, IDA savings and match money can be used to buy a house, pay for education or job training, or to start a small business. Please keep in mind that the allowed asset may depend on the providing organization.

In addition to earning matching dollars, you will learn about budgeting, saving, banking and more when you open an IDA. In most cases, individuals who open IDAs (account holders) are required to attend financial education classes. Accountholders may also receive one-on-one counseling and other training depending the specifics of their local program.

This website, run by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, provides a toolkit for individuals with disabilities and their families to plan for the future and lays the foundation for living a good life. They provide their own framework which is similar to the Person-Centered Framework that focuses on the individual’s needs, desires, and preferences when creating goals and achieving outcomes.

Even if climbing stairs is easy now, maintaining your mobility and being able to live in the comfort of your own home is a big goal for those who want to maintain independence. Stair lifts help navigate multiple levels of your home safely. Whether your staircase is straight or custom-made, you can work with a stair lift company to find a lift that fits your needs. If you are creating a project, knowing this could be a possibility and preparing structurally can help with future costs.

Living with a disability due to age or another factor makes life significantly more challenging. One place where all disabled individuals should feel comfortable is at home. However, most homes are not designed with wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility assistance devices in mind.

If you or a loved one is dealing with limited mobility, or if you are caring for a senior in your life, some home modifications may be needed to allow them to live comfortably and independently. When considering these modifications, you will also want to consider the impact they have on the resale value of your home, should you need to sell your home at a later date. On this website, there is information on what you need to know about home modifications and resale values.

The purpose of this article is to provide a broad stroke fundamental overview of journey a child diagnosed with a developmental or intellectual disability go through life, education, and transition (the time in which a child with special needs prepares for adulthood). Thus, the principal focus is on service availability in order to support the child and family i.e. who to approach and where the funding comes from.

ThinkAsperger‘s program, which is designed for parents, educators and medical professionals, includes screening questionnaires to help recognize social challenges in young children and then refer children for a formal evaluation. Once individuals are properly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), professionals can begin interventions so children can experience meaningful interactions, develop friendships, and ultimately reach their full potential.

Lifeline is the Federal Communication Commission’s program to make communication services more affordable for low income consumers. Consumers can purchase telephone services from participating providers and receive monthly discounts or even free phone and service plans. Internet access is also pending.

Following the direction of the Developmental Disabilities Act, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (Council) developed this Housing Resource Guide, in partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition, to provide information for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families about affordable, accessible, safe and inclusive housing options in non-segregated communities.

The Special Needs Calculator is designed to support and educate individuals who are planning for a person with special need’s welfare. It asks five questions that provide an estimated dollar amount that potentially supports the individual over his or her lifetime. The results help the user develop a financial strategy for the future.

The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access, and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad. Members include travel professionals, consumers with disabilities and other individuals and corporations who support our mission.

After discussion of 22 housing models explored in PA, this report identifies short­ and long­term recommendations designed to remove these barriers and increase housing options for individuals with autism. The recommendations focus on: educational opportunities for adults with autism and their families to learn about housing options and service regulations; creation of new housing opportunities by taking advantage of federal, state and local housing funding sources; amendments to current regulatory policies on licensed residential programs and waiver funding; and creating increased public awareness, and awareness by the affordable housing industry, of the need for housing choices for adults with autism.

This guide offers discussion content and checklists developed as part of a framework for transition planning to help youth and their families begin preparations for adulthood. It includes worksheets and suggestions for setting goals for several levels of development, focusing on promoting the self-determination of individuals with disabilities.

A recorded webinar organized by the ABLE National Resource Center.  A panel of experts explains how ABLE accounts might interact, and compare to, special needs trust, pooled income trusts, and financial and benefits planning.

Over 20 million American families today have at least one member with a disability. Government, non-profits, and the private sector have put into place many services to aid them. However, while awareness and appreciation of the diversity of our population is growing, the day-to-day struggles of these families often go unrecognized by others. In order to better understand the unique issues faced by adults with disabilities and by their parents and caregivers, the Easter Seals Living with Disabilities study, sponsored by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), was conducted by Harris Interactive, one of the leading consumer research companies in the U.S.

The study reveals that families have far-ranging concerns and may be overwhelmed about the future of their children with disabilities.

Neighbors International publishes several helpful booklets for individuals on independence entitled You and Your Budgets, You and Your Home, Living Your Own Life, You and Your Personal Assistants.

The Special Needs Alliance is a national, non-profit organization committed to helping individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them.  Many of the member attorneys have family members with special needs; all of them work regularly with public benefits, guardianships/conservatorships, planning for disabilities and special education issues.  They advocate for legislative and regulatory change to improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

This guide contains information about the HCBS Final Settings Rule. There are resources that help provide your support coordinator and service providers. These resources give input about the services you receive and how they can help you get the community life you want.

Managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) is a growing trend across the country. States seeking to modernize and improve their long-term services and supports systems continue to turn to managed care plans to help them achieve their goals. This 40 page report issued by the MLTSS Institute in 2018 contains successful strategies for managed long-term services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) programs.

The report focuses on each lifecycle phase of an MLTSS program, and highlights successful practices in each area:

• Goal setting
• Program design
• State infrastructure alignment
• Procurement and contracting
• Policies and procedure development
• Quality management and oversight

Hopefully, it will prove useful to states, health plans, providers, and most especially program participants and their caregivers. This report highlights the key elements that increase the likelihood of program success, focusing on best practices by both states and health plans. Because there is a long history of activism and self-determination in the I/DD community, early and intensive engagement with participants and their families is critical. Also it is very important to provide adequate time to plan and implement an MLTSS program for people with I/DD.

The Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative is a resource to assist offices with identifying and hiring a more diverse workforce. In addition, it helps those who want to work on the Hill with understanding and navigating the job search process. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid started the Initiative several years ago to develop a Senate workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation and is demographically representational of the constituents we serve. Our concept of diversity and inclusion embraces differences in race and ethnicity, religion, disability and sexual orientation as well as recognizes the military service of our veterans.

This link will bring you to the Senate Diversity Initiative’s Resume Bank. It is for diverse applicants who are interested in U.S. Senate Democratic office and committee positions.

Create an account to start your application. There are two parts to the application: first, you must complete The Questionnaire; and second, upload your resume and other documents through The Checklist, as needed.

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities published this guide and workbook as a tool to be used in person-centered planning process and/or transition periods. It goes over an individual’s strengths, their support circles, employment and housing preferences. It is written in a way that is easy to understand so that people with developmental disability who read, can read it and use it, so that people who advocate for those who cannot read can explain it more easily, and so that everyone can understand.

AANE has a number of support and social groups for adults with Asperger profiles that meet at various locations and times. These groups are intended for post-high school adults who are 18 or older.

Support groups provide an opportunity for participants to meet and talk with others in an understanding and non-judgmental atmosphere. Comparing life experiences and sharing current challenges and successes help group members to learn that they are not alone.

Social groups such as Pizza and Game Nights provide an opportunity for participants to get together in a relaxed, accepting atmosphere to socialize and have fun. Participants build social skills in a low key, comfortable environment and often make friendships which transcend AANE.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council publishes a curriculum assisting people with disabilities who want to find a home of their own. The curriculum offers guidance for a service provider or case manager who may be helping an individual with a disability explore their options over several meetings. The curriculum offers suggested activities, a workbook to help individuals with disabilities understand what challenges and opportunities they may face when deciding to live alone, and tools to help them compare their options and choose between specific homes they may be considering.

Teaching learners with disabilities can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Each learning disability is unique, and even the same disability can be expressed quite differently depending on a student. So, it’s critical to find the best strategies that’ll work best for your special education students.

Sponsored by Mass Mutual, this study highlights primary issues facing individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. The study focuses on the many challenges related to life care planning.

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council published a guide to help individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities understand the differences between owning a home and renting a home, assistance purchasing or renting a home, provide suggested questions to ask when choosing a home, and offer other practical information about buying or renting a home.

Graphic designers know they can leverage the power of viable design to create environments and products that allow ASD individuals to be comfortable in their own skins. Listed here are 20 resources that every graphic designer should know in order to walk inside the shoes of their autistic users, and understand the world through their eyes to design for better comprehension.

Employers may list specific “hard” or technical skills that they want an employee to have, but surveys show that employers most want to hire people who have positive “soft skills.” It can be difficult to be positive: it is hard to know what positivity looks like and sounds like, when and how to express positivity, and what the barriers are to being positive.

In this book, you will learn and practice positivity in five areas that you may find especially difficult, including:

-Mistakes/Weaknesses
-Things That Go Wrong
-Word Choices
-Body Language/Voice
-Intensity

There are in fact many challenges to being positive, every day, for everyone. But there are certain kinds of challenges that are especially common for individuals who are on the autism spectrum. This workbook will help you break down difficult situations and prepare yourself for the employment and independence.

A Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a nonprofit agency that assists people with all types of disabilities. CIL’s are consumer-controlled. This means that the people with disabilities who receive the services make the decisions. By law, at least 51% of the employees and 51% of the board members of CIL’s must be people with disabilities. CIL’s are community-based, meaning the services are designed to meet the needs of the people in the community. They help people with disabilities to live as independently as possible in their own homes. CIL’s do this by providing various services. Each CIL has different services. The services can change based on what people with disabilities need in their community.

This Sexuality and Developmental Disability Resource Guide will give first-hand advice from disabled self-advocate, Melissa Crisp-Cooper. While she does not claim to be an expert on sexuality and developmental disabilities or a health care professional, she is deeply interested in how people of all abilities think about these very basic aspects of life. Topics include: sexuality education, talking to your doctor about sex and family planning, dating, sex, marriage, and pregnancy and parenting. It also includes a wealth of resources concerning these issues.

Although many topics discussed here will be relatable to everyone regardless of ability, certain parts of this guide will focus primarily on women with physical disabilities.

Not everything in this guide will apply to all readers. We all come to this topic with different identities, experiences, and levels of information. The information presented here may prove useful and relevant for both people with disabilities and other interested folks such as family members, educators, and health care professionals.

Autism Housing Pathways has a variety of resources to help families locate services and supports, and to help service providers, property developers and managers to better support individuals with autism. The Turning 18 Checklist contains a list of steps you should complete when your family member reaches adulthood to maximize available services and supports.

How is life different for adults who have siblings with developmental disabilities?  Many have assumed – or will assume – primary care giving responsibilities for their brother or sister with disabilities when their parents no longer can be a support. Easter Seals Siblings Study sheds light on the experiences of sibling caregivers as well as the services and supports they need.

Families in the autism community do what they have to do to make their homes livable, as special interests and sensory integration become a huge part of family life. How can we make our homes accessible to an autistic lifestyle?

Free and confidential, 2-1-1 is a referral and information helpline and website. People of all ages and from all communities are connected with essential health and human services that are needed. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The Letter of Intent is a document that you create that passes vital information about a person with a disability to future caregivers.  It can include such things as a persons sleeping preferences, eating habits, and many other important aspects of daily routine (to see what should be included in a letter of intent read: The top 10 Items to have in your letter of intent).” Vestidd is a platform to write, store, and share a digital record of the things that affect the life of a person with disabilities today and in the future.

This Facebook cheat sheet covers how to build your brand presence, build your fanbase, advertise, and optimize your advertisements.

This 600+ page Transition Curriculum represents a first step in changing the paradigm of how transition from adolescence to adulthood is approached in education and society for individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities. This is the collaborative work of a multi-disciplinary team of committed educators, researchers, clinicians, and therapists who have expertise working with individuals with ASD and related disorders. It is an evolving work designed to close the “curriculum gap”. 3LPlace‘s hope is to shape it into an easy-to-use, best practices curriculum.

A Three Part Docu-Series provides an in-depth, inside look into how a handful of cities from all over the country are making legal tiny housing and legal tiny house communities, a reality. It tells stories of community experience, zoning and policy challenges, the movement and the inspiring grassroots tiny housing projects, the people behind them and how they are trying to make a positive impact in their communities.

The guide compares popular brands and educates readers on important features to consider when selecting a hearing aid. It explains key aspects of the device such as the fit, noise reduction, feedback reduction, speech enhancement, and programmability. It also breaks down the pros and cons of some of the most popular hearing aid brands using verified consumer reviews.