Welcome future neighbors, families and supporters
“I want to live in a house of my own.” For the parent of an adult child with special needs, those are some of the most wonderful and most terrifying words you can hear. Most parents become empty nesters at some point, but if you have a child with special needs, that’s...
If you’re a parent of an adult child with special needs, you might’ve already heard the words “I want to live in my own house.” When you’ve spent every day caring for your child, the thought of them moving out might cause some panic. How will they gain the life skills...
So many exciting cohousing communities! How does a seeker decide which one is best? The Short Version: Can you afford it? Is it located in an acceptable geographic location? Is the urban vs rural location right for you? Is their timeline compatible with yours (not...
3 steps men can take to stay connected, be prepared and fight loneliness I am euphemistically known as a "solo ager," a 66-year-old child-free widower with no plans to seek another primary intimate monogamous relationship. I must admit that the term "solo ager" is...
Mara Lora, published March 14, 2022 In 2010, a reclusive man named William E. Brown Jr. died and went undiscovered for about a month at 211 W. Oak Drive. The property that once held his house and overgrown yard across from the Southgate Shopping Center will...
This article in 50PlusToday explores cohousing - a lifestyle which is more popular now than ever... Community living helps decrease the social isolation and loneliness seniors often experience as they age. Even before the spread of Covid, loneliness and social...
Levels of independence vary widely among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Your loved one might seek independence, but not be prepared for the responsibility. Conversely, they may be prepared for independent living, but unable to find...
Since 1998, The Annual Family Café has brought Floridians with all types of disabilities together for three days of information, training, and networking. With a great range of individual breakout sessions, a packed Exhibit Hall with dozens of vendors, and a series of...
There are many programs that may be able help you with living expenses. Be sure to learn about what help you can expect before you turn 18. Ask for assistance to apply for all services and programs you might be eligible for as an adult. Be sure to start early if you...
Just as a home is more than its walls and windows, cohousing homes are more than standard condos. To the people who create, join and live cohousing communities, they join an active and involved community of neighbors who know and care about each other and together...
Picture a sunlit modern interior built from light wood, where private apartments open up into airy communal spaces. Residents organize their social activities and hobbies in groups, connecting over shared interests. They meet regularly to vote on community rules. If...
LAL Today reports Lakeland ranked No 6 No. 1. That’s what Florida ranked yesterday on Wallet Hub’s list of 2022’s Best States to Retire. The 50 states were ranked using 47 metrics spanning three core factors: affordability, quality of life, and health care. While we...
Making New Friends Feels Just Plain Hard If you've ever tried to make new friends as an adult, you'll probably see why loneliness is at an all-time high. Making new friends feels just plain hard. In school, making friends can be as simple as going on the monkey bars...
5 Reasons to Consider Joining a Cohousing Community Just as a home is more than its walls and windows, cohousing homes are more than standard condos. To the people who create, join and live cohousing communities, they join an active and involved community of neighbors...
As we age, we tend to shed family and friends—which can hurt our mental and physical health. How can we design communities for seniors that facilitate social connections? Vonda is an energetic 73-year-old woman with a friendly smile and a sharp wit. For the last two...
If I Could Just Go Back… Back in undergrad, Rams Commons was THE place to be. For those who weren’t fortunate enough to attend Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), Rams Commons is a co-ed dorm with suites. There were four bedrooms per suite, with a full-sized bed,...
When I give presentations or consult for emerging housing options, I often hear that individuals with I/DD want to live in a supportive and affordable neighborhood. Walking to a friend’s home, having regular opportunities for activities, being recognized as a person...
People with special needs often require housing that accommodates their lifestyle. In many cases, group living facilities are called for, with the group environment providing stability and support. But in other cases, a person with special needs needs a very specific...
The Transportation Security Administration is set to start implementing new staff training and screening procedures to better serve individuals with disabilities as they make their way through airports across the country. Beginning as soon as May, the TSA says that it...
Parents Are Creating Communities for Their Grown Children Who Have Special Needs Adults with intellectual and developmental differences want independence but often require continuing care. Their families are joining forces to ensure they receive both. Although the...
My goodness – a few years ago, the words in this title would strike fear into my heart. How would our family begin to plan our son with IDD transition to independence or even consider him moving away from home? Rest assured there are literally thousands of families in...
In a growing trend toward inclusion, young adults with disabilities now have more opportunities than ever to live with typically-developing peers who double as their caregivers. A lack of safe and affordable housing is the number one issue for adults with intellectual...
First and foremost, I am Diane’s husband and Kathryn’s father. After that, I am an attorney and a “tax nerd,” which is the title bestowed on me with much love, affection and humor by my daughter, Kathryn. Kathryn is almost 24 and has autism. Her mother and I want as...
It is the kind of "in-between space" that we need today Front porches have long been derided as "historical pastiche" with no place in modern design – but as photographer, architect, and writer Steve Mouzon noted a decade ago, the people complaining about them "have...
Forever Mother Carrie Cariello’s son Jack has autism; this poignant post speaks to many Forever Mothers & Fathers Forever Mother [ for·ev·er moth·er ]: a mother who will spend the rest of her life taking care of her child’s day-to-day financial and health care...
WATCH TED TALK presented by Diane Lawson
Check out APD Overview on Supported Living HERE
“I want to live in a house of my own.” For the parent of an adult child with special needs, those are some of the most wonderful and most terrifying words you can hear. Most parents become empty nesters at some point, but if you have a child with special needs, that’s...
If you’re a parent of an adult child with special needs, you might’ve already heard the words “I want to live in my own house.” When you’ve spent every day caring for your child, the thought of them moving out might cause some panic. How will they gain the life skills...
So many exciting cohousing communities! How does a seeker decide which one is best? The Short Version: Can you afford it? Is it located in an acceptable geographic location? Is the urban vs rural location right for you? Is their timeline compatible with yours (not...
3 steps men can take to stay connected, be prepared and fight loneliness I am euphemistically known as a "solo ager," a 66-year-old child-free widower with no plans to seek another primary intimate monogamous relationship. I must admit that the term "solo ager" is...
Mara Lora, published March 14, 2022 In 2010, a reclusive man named William E. Brown Jr. died and went undiscovered for about a month at 211 W. Oak Drive. The property that once held his house and overgrown yard across from the Southgate Shopping Center will...
This article in 50PlusToday explores cohousing - a lifestyle which is more popular now than ever... Community living helps decrease the social isolation and loneliness seniors often experience as they age. Even before the spread of Covid, loneliness and social...
Levels of independence vary widely among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Your loved one might seek independence, but not be prepared for the responsibility. Conversely, they may be prepared for independent living, but unable to find...
Since 1998, The Annual Family Café has brought Floridians with all types of disabilities together for three days of information, training, and networking. With a great range of individual breakout sessions, a packed Exhibit Hall with dozens of vendors, and a series of...
There are many programs that may be able help you with living expenses. Be sure to learn about what help you can expect before you turn 18. Ask for assistance to apply for all services and programs you might be eligible for as an adult. Be sure to start early if you...
Just as a home is more than its walls and windows, cohousing homes are more than standard condos. To the people who create, join and live cohousing communities, they join an active and involved community of neighbors who know and care about each other and together...
Picture a sunlit modern interior built from light wood, where private apartments open up into airy communal spaces. Residents organize their social activities and hobbies in groups, connecting over shared interests. They meet regularly to vote on community rules. If...
LAL Today reports Lakeland ranked No 6 No. 1. That’s what Florida ranked yesterday on Wallet Hub’s list of 2022’s Best States to Retire. The 50 states were ranked using 47 metrics spanning three core factors: affordability, quality of life, and health care. While we...
Making New Friends Feels Just Plain Hard If you've ever tried to make new friends as an adult, you'll probably see why loneliness is at an all-time high. Making new friends feels just plain hard. In school, making friends can be as simple as going on the monkey bars...
5 Reasons to Consider Joining a Cohousing Community Just as a home is more than its walls and windows, cohousing homes are more than standard condos. To the people who create, join and live cohousing communities, they join an active and involved community of neighbors...
As we age, we tend to shed family and friends—which can hurt our mental and physical health. How can we design communities for seniors that facilitate social connections? Vonda is an energetic 73-year-old woman with a friendly smile and a sharp wit. For the last two...
If I Could Just Go Back… Back in undergrad, Rams Commons was THE place to be. For those who weren’t fortunate enough to attend Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), Rams Commons is a co-ed dorm with suites. There were four bedrooms per suite, with a full-sized bed,...
When I give presentations or consult for emerging housing options, I often hear that individuals with I/DD want to live in a supportive and affordable neighborhood. Walking to a friend’s home, having regular opportunities for activities, being recognized as a person...
People with special needs often require housing that accommodates their lifestyle. In many cases, group living facilities are called for, with the group environment providing stability and support. But in other cases, a person with special needs needs a very specific...
The Transportation Security Administration is set to start implementing new staff training and screening procedures to better serve individuals with disabilities as they make their way through airports across the country. Beginning as soon as May, the TSA says that it...
Parents Are Creating Communities for Their Grown Children Who Have Special Needs Adults with intellectual and developmental differences want independence but often require continuing care. Their families are joining forces to ensure they receive both. Although the...
My goodness – a few years ago, the words in this title would strike fear into my heart. How would our family begin to plan our son with IDD transition to independence or even consider him moving away from home? Rest assured there are literally thousands of families in...
In a growing trend toward inclusion, young adults with disabilities now have more opportunities than ever to live with typically-developing peers who double as their caregivers. A lack of safe and affordable housing is the number one issue for adults with intellectual...
First and foremost, I am Diane’s husband and Kathryn’s father. After that, I am an attorney and a “tax nerd,” which is the title bestowed on me with much love, affection and humor by my daughter, Kathryn. Kathryn is almost 24 and has autism. Her mother and I want as...
It is the kind of "in-between space" that we need today Front porches have long been derided as "historical pastiche" with no place in modern design – but as photographer, architect, and writer Steve Mouzon noted a decade ago, the people complaining about them "have...
Forever Mother Carrie Cariello’s son Jack has autism; this poignant post speaks to many Forever Mothers & Fathers Forever Mother [ for·ev·er moth·er ]: a mother who will spend the rest of her life taking care of her child’s day-to-day financial and health care...
WATCH TED TALK presented by Diane Lawson
Check out APD Overview on Supported Living HERE
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