Efficient Post-Academic Lifestyle Planning for Disabled Individuals

Suggested by Bianca Swidler almost 4 years ago

Students with profound disabilities and special needs lose all of the district-based supports they received in school once they matriculate. Guardianship, residence, and quality-of-life goals skim the surface of considerations that individuals and their networks undertake. People tasked with assisting caregivers in these decisions ("supports coordinators") are either (a) grossly over capacity with clientele, (b) unable to find accessible resources for the individual, if said resources even exist, or (c ) face closure with consumer dissatisfaction or staffing issues, especially smaller firms. Income inequality, state of residence, caregiver involvement, etc. all compound these and other systemic issues with post-grad disabilities care.

Doing right by disabled adults means setting them and caregivers up for success in the adult world. We can accomplish this by facilitating easy identification, sourcing, and communication of best-outcome plans on behalf of the individual.

Why the need is now: The pandemic has bifurcated progress in this realm. On the one hand, mass turnover of day and residential programs has stranded 2-3 school years' worth of graduates in post-grad limbo. For many, this isolation has compounded their wellness needs. On the other hand, our collective pivot to future-thinking life has expanded the realm of possibilities for disabilities life. This includes expanding types of employment, activities, technologies and goals that a matriculated student can attain/obtain.

Why I'm posting now: I am the caregiver (and twin!) of a freaking awesome 2020 graduate with profound disabilities. While I feel like I know this space inside-out, I know there's so much we can accomplish in this space. The best work begins by first reaching out on the Platform and getting these long-overdue conversations going with you :)