Independent Living Skills Objectives

Independent living courses and programs are designed to help integrate individuals with developmental disabilities into mainstream society. Their main objective is to develop life skills in those who need support and specialized instruction. These life skills are typically comprised of behaviors and knowledge that most of society takes for granted. While some individuals with disabilities do require a higher level of assistance and support than others, the goal of any independent living program is to enable individuals to become as self-sufficient as possible.

Personal Hygiene

• Those with developmental disabilities may have difficulty or unusual challenges with personal grooming. One of the objectives of independent living programs is to educate individuals on how to accomplish necessary tasks in spite of their disability. For example, disabled individuals may not be able to stand in a regular shower. The goal would be to educate them about shower seat options that can be incorporated into their current home. Proper use of the device would also be covered and may include some form of assistance at first.

Home and Housekeeping Skills

• Many independent living courses that teach home and housekeeping skills are designed to educate disabled individuals about how to cook, how to shop and how to clean. These are skills and activities that may have been done for them in the past that they need to now learn. For example, a child with autism may have not been allowed to touch the stove or anything in the kitchen. Now that he is an adult, he needs to learn these skills to be able to live somewhat independently. These courses show disabled individuals how to prepare meals, good nutritional habits, how to operate kitchen appliances safely and how to effectively budget for groceries.

Social and Communication Skills

• Sometimes disabled individuals become isolated from mainstream society. Their disabilities may also make it difficult for them to be understood when they communicate or to pick up on nonverbal cues. One of the objectives of independent living programs is to try to first get the disabled individuals to develop a healthy self-concept. Confidence building and education about inclusion is helpful. For those individuals who are unable to communicate with their voices, alternative methods, such as writing, sign language and the use of computerized voice devices, may be taught.

Transportation

• As many individuals with disabilities will be unable to drive themselves in a personal car, teaching methods of alternative transportation is one of the objectives of independent living programs. Some are taught how to use the public transportation systems while others may be educated on how to use community resources that provide bus and shuttle service for people with disabilities. Personal options, such as the use of family and friends as drivers, are also explored. The courses will typically cover how to budget for transportation expenses and how to plan transportation arrangements. Additional topics could include how to cope with the anger and frustration that can occur as a result of being dependent on others.