Independent Living Resources

Our homes are more than where we sleep and eat; they are the base from which we move out into the world, and the sanctuary to which we return to gather ourselves together again. For people with disabilities, moving out can be complicated. But establishing a home is key for anyone’s sense of well being.

There are many resources to help the disabled people with creating their own home. Explore some of these independent living resources and issues from within the Home Life section of this online documentary. Or visit some of these worthwhile websites for more information on the topics of independent living:

General independent living resources

Campaign for Community Living

Canadian Association for Independent Living Centres

Disability & Housing Resources
From Turtle Homes, manufacturers of accessible homes.

Family Village Independent Living Resources
Directories to independent living centers around the world.

Housing First
A year long special reporting project by a team of NPR News radio and web journalists. Through extensive coverage on-air and online, Housing First will explore why it's so difficult for Americans with special needs to find good housing, and how the lack of housing often stymies their efforts to join, and flourish in, the mainstream of society.

Independent Living Institute
Swedish non profit that offers resources for persons with disabilities and develops consumer-driven policies for self-determination, self-respect and dignity.

Home ownership for disabled people

BC Homeowner Grant for Persons with Disabilities

Home of Your Own Initiative
Fact Sheet on the National US Home of Your Own initiative for the disabled people

Opening Doors
A housing initiative designed to provide information and technical assistance on affordable housing issues to people with disabilities, their families, advocates, and service providers across the United States.

Accessible rental properties

BC Affordable Housing Link
Subsidized housing listings across BC. Affordable housing for persons with disabilities. Eligibility criteria, how to apply, necessary forms, and general information about housing programs and services in BC.

National Accessible Apartment Clearing House
Database with more than 46,000 listings of specially designed apartments.

Group homes & cohousing

Cohousing Association of the United States
Academic research on cohousing.

L’Arche is an international federation of communities for people with learning disabilities and assistants. They provide real homes in ordinary houses to well over 100 people with learning disabilities and a similar number of assistants.

List of Group Homes & Other Community Based Services for Disabled people Adults.

Assistive technology & products

Assistive Technology Products
Directory of assistive products and devices for disabled people.

AssistiveTech.net
An online information resource on assistive technologies, adaptive environments and community resources.

Smart Home Technology Links
Products and technologies for an automated “smart” home that is disabled people person friendly.

Accessibility & universal home design

Accessibility & Universal Design
Promotes understanding of the ADA to enrich the lives of people who have disabilities.

Accessible House Design
Resources about house design that is handicapped accessible.

US Department of Housing & Urban Development – People with Disabilities Resources
HUD offers information regarding accessible housing, is in charge of enforcing housing discrimination laws, has a variety programs to help people buy homes, to create affordable rental housing, and to spur community and economic development.

If you think we’ve missed a good independent living resource about housing and disabled people please contact us here.