EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS IN HOME LIVING

            It may be difficult to imagine living on your own.   After all, it’s a big change and you’ve probably been living with family members for a long time!   However, the skills you learn now will help you to be confident and capable of living as independently as possible.

            Remember that preparing for home living means more than simply finding a place to live.   It includes transportation, self-advocacy, financial management, and medical and support services as needed.   You can develop independent skills in one, some, or all of these areas.

            This information comes from the PACER Center ( Parent Advocacy Center for Educational Rights) in Minnesota.   The organization, which specializes in disability-related information, can be found online at www.pacer.org.

            The PACER Center recommends that you use this time during high school to start evaluating the areas in which you can be and want to be independent.   Ask a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult to help you sort things out and come to some conclusions.   During the transition period, your case conference committee should also talk about options and help you map out how you are going to live.   Consider these in your discussion:

• Daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and personal hygiene;

• Transportation needs, including whether you will need a driver’s license, or need to take public or specialized transportation;

• Housing opportunities such as an apartment, a house or group home, or subsidized housing;

• Self-advocacy, including decision making, rights and responsibilities, and your knowledge of your disability and of available resources;

• Financial arrangements including a bank account, making purchases, paying bills, insurance, and Supplemental Security Income (if this applies to you); and

• Medical and support services such as personal care services, doctor appointments, adaptive equipment, counseling, and medical assistance.

Home Living Fall 05 INDEPENDENCE