Community Living Skills


CICIL: Independent Living Skills Training

From the Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, an Independent Living Skills Training for people with a variety of backgrounds and disabilities. Topics include assistive technology, social skills, health care, housing, and more. 

Independent Living Skills Program--JFCS

An Independent Living Skills Program for people with developmental disabilities offered by Jewish Family and Children's Services, a nonprofit organization located in the San Francisco, CA area. 

Planning for Community Living

From the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment, tools for youth-to-adulthood transition planning and developing self-determination. Also provides an index of Centers for Independent Living and information about finding housing.  

Center on Transition Innovations: Practical Tips

Center on Transition Innovations: Practical Tips (via Center on Transition) offers practical tips on preparing for transition for teachers, families, and students.

Personal Stories

Here are stories of how others managed their transitions from institutions to the community or from high school to adult life. We hope that they will be helpful in planning or supporting a successful transition.

Debbie talks about independent living with assistance from Independence First, the center for independent living in Milwaukee, WI (YouTube).

Anthony talks about independent living with assistance from Ability360, the center for independent living in Phoenix, AZ (YouTube).

On Your Own: A Guide to Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities as an Adult

Via Kansas Bar Association, provides information on various topics regarding legal rights and responsibilities as an adult when living independently. Topics include: drinking, buying and maintaining a vehicle, finding work, being in relationships, housing, credit ratings and reports, health & exercise, identity theft, and voting.

Housing Help

From USA.GOV, resources on rental housing, home ownership, independent living skills, and complaining for people with disabilities.  

IHO-Resource Guide

The IHO-Resource Guide (via Pacer) is a resource guide for individualized housing options for persons with disabilities. It explains the possiblities for living in the community with supports.

Administration for Community Living Program Areas

The ACL manages a variety of programs supporting community living options for older adults and people with disabilities; consumer choice and control; employment; health, wellness, and nutrition; and many more for people with specific disabilities. 

Independent Living Connections

From the Center for Parent and Information Resources, find tools to assess self-determination and independent living skills, an index of Centers for Independent Living, and other resources for staying healthy and participating in the community. 




The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90RT5043). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.