Independent Living Resources

A Curriculum for Self-Advocates

The guide on self-advocacy is from thee National Autism Resource and Information Center and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network

How Can My Family Save Money?

This financial plan can help determine how a person with IDD will pay for the things they want and need in the future.

What you need to know about your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when you turn 18

This booklet is for youth who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their parents, teachers, health providers, caregivers, or representatives. Check out how SSI could change when someone turns 18 as they transition to higher education and employment.

Renting with Disabilities

The Tenant Resource Center provides tips for tenants with disabilities—things to help, things to think about, things to watch out for.

Laws That Protect People with Disabilities 

The Research and Training Center on Promoting Interventions for Community Living (RTC/PICL) created six new fact sheets to inform people with disabilities about their rights under U.S. laws.

Car Insurance for Drivers with Disabilities

The ADA makes it illegal to charge disabled drivers more for auto insurance. This site helps drivers with disabilities find the best coverage for the best price.

Youth in Action! – Getting Involved in Volunteering

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth shares this tip sheet about volunteering. Check out everything about volunteering and how people can offer their time and skills for a good cause.

Individuals with Disabilities

After a disaster, it might be difficult to go to a doctor or even a drugstore, so it’s important to plan for the supplies you use regularly, and what you would do if those supplies are hard to find or not available.

Guide to Home Ownership for People with Disabilities

Luckily, there are some programs that can help you both purchase a home and retrofit it to accommodate your disability, and greatly improve your quality of life.

Employment and Economic Advancement Resource Map

This guide identifies national programs that can support individuals as they take the next steps toward financial stability.

Just what is supported decision-making?

Click on this interactive map to find information and resources on guardianship laws by states

ILRU Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Associations

Check out a complete listing of CILs throughout the US and UD Territories. It includes an interactive map and an alphabetic list of states and territories.

Supported Decision Making and Alternatives to Guardianship

An RSA-PTI Resource | The REACH project provides information and strategies to help parents, family organizations, and providers support youth/young adults in making their own choices and decisions.

Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management

This website provides the resources to help people make more informed decisions about managing their personal finances and take control of their financial future.  Cents and Sensibility is a 60-page guide to #moneymanagement for people with disabilities developed in 2013.

Ten Tips That May Help Your Child’s Transition to Adulthood

An RSA-PTI Resource | This tip sheet from the PACER Center explains the planning process for a child’s transition from adolescence to adulthood. The document covers Minnesota’s transition requirements in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The ABLE Act and Employment: Strategies for Maximizing the Effectiveness of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act as a Tool for Financial Stability and Employment Outcomes of People with Disabilities

Learn how provisions in the ABLE Act can be combined with federal benefit services and other federal programs to promote competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

Developing Financial Capability Among Youth

An RSA-PTI Resource | This RAISE webinar explains the importance of managing financial resources in the transition to adult life. It focuses on how families can influence and assist their youth in money management and decision-making skills.

Serving People with Disabilities in the Most Integrated Setting: Community Living and Olmstead

Learn the importance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1999 landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C. (Olmstead). This law promotes community living through our vigorous enforcement of the ADA and other key civil rights laws.

Life Skills Checklist (English) 

This resource is to help transition-age students (14-22), their families, and IEP Team track independent living/life skills.

Life Skills Checklist (Spanish) 

This resource is to help transition-age students (14-22), their families, and IEP Team track independent living/life skills in Spanish.

Person-Centered Planning – Youth Factsheet 

This youth factsheet explains Person-Centered Planning that students can utilize.

Person-Centered Planning Fact Sheet – Youth (Visual) 

This visual factsheet explaining Person-Centered Planning.

Smart Homes Made Simple

Partner Product: This guide has been written by Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) to help people with disabilities learn to successfully integrate smart home technology into their homes and lives. It is available in Spanish.

Smart Homes Made Simple: Self-Assessment Tool

Partner Product: This self-assessment can help a person identify what they’re trying to do and plan for a smart home.

#Financial Wellness Toolkit

We love the financial wellness toolkit developed by the National Disability Institute.

Shining a Light on Supported Decision Making

In this video a self-advocate shares his supported decision-making story and how he almost lost his rights.

Study Money 

Study Money is designed to help people with #disabilities and their families and advocates learn about #managingmoney

Dept. of Labor #Financial Toolkit 

Helping People with #Disabilities Secure Their Financial Future

It’s a #Money Thing series 

GPO, a Federal Credit Union in upstate New York offers a range of youth-focused, user-friendly animated videos on topics like taxes, saving money, loans, building a budget, credit scores, and more.

Do You Have It? – Youth Resource

As an adult, there are a number of important items you should have close by so you know where they are when you need them.  ¿Lo tienes? – Recurso juvenil 

Turning 18 – Youth Factsheet

This means you can make choices in your life about education, money, etc. Cumpliendo los 18 Años