What is Independent Living?
Independent Living is a philosophy in which you are in control of what you do, how you do it, when you do it. It is a philosophy that involves you being responsible for your care and needs and not only puts you in control but requires you to participate in directing your life and taking responsibility for your actions. The DSRP staff will help you develop your independent living skills working one to one with you and by developing activities and classes. Being independent is not easy after living your entire life at home, let alone when you have a disability. Becoming independent can be confusing and stressful. Every individual is…an individual, different, so independence can mean different things for different people. We hope that you will be able to do things to the best of your ability. The vision at DSRP is that, by the end of the first year, students should have all available services (IHSS, SSI, DOR, Medical, etc.) in place when they leave. Students should have a full staff of
Independent living is the belief that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, options, and control over choices in their own lives as people without disabilities. This approach focuses on changing society and communities so they better meet the needs of the people who live there. The independent living movement puts decision making in the hands of the individual, rather than a medical or service provider. For more information about independent living, you may want to contact the National Council on Independent Living and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living. To find an independent living center in your state, please see the Independent Living Research Utilization’s Directory of Independent Living Centers and State Independent Living Councils.
