With already so few opportunities and scarce funding available to adults on the autism spectrum, why would policymakers create even more hurdles for autistic adults or others with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD)? Policy developed to protect and empower those with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities is creating unintentional barriers. The...
Denny Roger’s daughter, Emily, was at a dead-end. Her family modified their home so she could have her own space, but her frequent meltdowns expressed her dissatisfaction and frustration. She moved into a home in the community with a roommate, but led a very isolated life. Sitting in front of...
By now, many of you have probably seen Brian Bethun’s article The End of Neighbors or coverage by The Today Show, TIME Magazine, or AOL that reported 50% of all Americans do not even know their neighbors' names. Bethun illuminates the notion that we, as a society, need to foster more human connections....
Homes For Life Foundation's (HFL) mission is to address an urgent issue in Delaware: the affordable housing crisis for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DDs). Over the past 25 years, the foundation, led by husband and wife team, Dr. Lanny and Micki Edelsohn, has raised millions of dollars to build and...
If you or a loved one has an intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD) and/or autism, it is imperative that you consider the following five realities that impact the future of available support services and housing. Knowing your housing and support options is also imperative. Check out the Autism Housing Network's Virtual Tour...
Madison House Autism Foundation is excited to unveil a project that has been in the works for over a year now: the new Autism Housing Network (AHN). “The AHN is the first interactive online community for adults with special needs and their families,” says Desiree Kameka, national housing expert at MHAF....
Access to affordable and supportive housing is becoming increasingly challenging, and funding for waiver supports and housing vouchers is not meeting the demand. It is concerning that professional, non-state resident advocates are writing letters to Medicaid authorities in Arizona and Florida urging the state to restrict individuals with disabilities from...
The CCC has created an STP Mini-toolkit as a quick reference guide after almost 2 years of HCBS Final Rule implementation. This information is an extension of that toolkit: The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and NORC, the contractor helping implement the Final Rule and review State Transition Plan’s,...
The Atlantic recently published an article, 'Who Decides Where Autistic Adults Live?' that highlighted the moral dilemma of how policy can create barriers to the human right to be supported in one's choice of home and community. The author, Amy Lutz, interviews many individuals with different perspectives and opinions. Nancy...
Denny Roger’s daughter, Emily, was at a dead-end. Her family modified their home so she could have her own space, but her frequent meltdowns expressed her dissatisfaction and frustration. She moved into a home in the community with a roommate, but led a very isolated life. Sitting in front of...
Pam’s mother promised that Pam would be able to stay in her family home and continue her existing lifestyle even when her mother was no longer around. Upon her mother's death, Pam was fortunate to have siblings that were prepared to interview, hire, and manage the direct support staff Pam...
If you are planning, developing, managing social enterprises or a residential community for those with developmental disabilities, you may want to attend the next Brookwood Community Network Days Conference, February 11-13, just outside of Houston, TX! It is a three-day immersion into the day-by-day operations with in-depth seminars led by...
As part of a nationwide movement to create local housing and employment solutions, the mother of a young man on the autism spectrum started Erik’s Ranch & Retreats. This past April, the Minnesota retreat opened its doors, and a second location, a Montana ranch, is in the process of fundraising to build a...
By now, many of you have probably seen Brian Bethun’s article The End of Neighbors or coverage by The Today Show, TIME Magazine, or AOL that reported 50% of all Americans do not even know their neighbors' names. Bethun illuminates the notion that we, as a society, need to foster more human connections....
In January 2014, Coalition for Community Choice came together and continues to grow as a unified voice for increasing options and decreasing barriers to housing choices. Several years ago, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule change that included changes that defined what settings people with disabilities...