Easterseals Crossroads RISE Program: Functional Living Skills Training for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Functional living and community skills are needed to for being an independent individual in society. Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) make up nearly two percent of the United States population, or an estimated 7.37 million people, but are often not able to live and access the world around them without support from parents and caregivers. Despite the national movement to empower individuals with disabilities to live more independent lives, individuals with ID continue to face social exclusion, marginalization, and stigma. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a life skills program to equip individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the tools and functional skills to live and access the community independently. Guided by Participatory Occupational Justice Framework, Model of Human Occupation theory, and evidence-based teaching methods, client-centered and strengths-based lessons for six living skills courses (e.g., Food Preparation/Nutrition, Money Management, Home Management, Health Management, Public Transportation, and Emergency Skills) were created as part of the new R.I.S.E Program to aid in the acquisition of functional living skills, with guided support and education, among teens and adults with intellectual disability. Additionally, staff training modules and marketing materials were developed to prepare staff and promote the program. The acquisition of functional living and community skills lead to increased self-management, self-confidence, social inclusion, sense of belonging, and overall independence and quality of life.