Self-determined living
Self-determined living with a disability is possible
The step towards an independent and self-determined life is a major milestone for young people - and especially for people with restrictions or a disability. Today, there are various forms of housing that promote independence, offer community and at the same time provide individual support. In this article, we present forms of housing for young adults with disabilities that make this possible.
Inclusion has many facets, including living - independently or in a community, with less or more support, on an outpatient basis or in a special form of housing. After all, everyone has the right to choose how, where and with whom they want to live.
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Living in your own home: independent and barrier-free
Finding an accessible apartment in the tight housing market is not always easy. Minor conversions can usually be carried out by the tenant themselves in consultation with the landlord. You can find tips, advice and financing options for barrier-free conversions in the article "Barrier-free living" here on the Familienportal.NRW.
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Outpatient assisted living: Help when it is needed
Outpatient assisted living offers young people a life in their own home or a shared flat - supplemented by targeted assistance in everyday life - accompanied but independent. Social pedagogues or care workers help on an hourly or daily basis, for example with cooking, housekeeping or visits to the authorities.
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Residential groups in special living arrangements: Structure and security
Special forms of housing usually house young adults with comparable support needs under one roof. They are suitable for people who need more support in everyday life. Special forms of housing are often supported by social associations or non-profit initiatives. Educational and nursing care is guaranteed around the clock. This form of living offers security and structure, with a focus on community life.
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Inclusive shared flats and housing projects: Together under one roof
Inclusive shared apartments, where people with and without disabilities live together, are becoming increasingly popular. This special form of cohabitation is inclusion in action: everyone gets involved to the best of their ability - in everyday life, in cooking, in conversation, in support. Many such projects are supported by foundations, associations or initiatives. You can find inclusive housing projects, initiatives and offers at a glance on the portal Wohnsinn.
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Parents' initiatives and self-organized housing projects
It is not uncommon for committed parents to set up their own housing projects for their children - in the form of cooperatives or private initiatives. With a great deal of passion, forms of housing are created that are precisely tailored to the needs of the young people concerned. Personal initiatives are often developed when demand exceeds the number of places available in a residential group or the family's desire for co-determination is particularly strong.
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Living with assistance: personal and up to 24/7
Another way to lead a self-determined life is living with personal assistance. In this model, personal assistants provide round-the-clock support to the person being cared for, depending on the type and severity of their disability. The so-called personal budget makes it possible to organize assistance independently - for example for care, mobility or everyday support. The person concerned decides for themselves who supports them, when and how.
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Assisted living in host families
Supported living in host families - abbreviated to "BWF" - is a possible alternative to other special forms of accommodation for young adults with mental or psychological disabilities if they can no longer be accommodated in their own home. It works in a similar way to a foster family in youth welfare. The host family is accompanied by the BWF specialist team and supports their new family member in leading as self-determined a life as possible. More information on this can be found on the portal page of the LWL Inclusion Office Social Participation and the Fact Sheet of the LVR.
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Short-term living
In the context of short-term care, people with disabilities can be admitted to a residential facility for a limited period of time. The offer of short-term care thus provides temporary relief for the relatives of people with disabilities who support them in the household and can be used, for example, for absences of relatives. This service is financed via care insurance benefits and/or integration assistance in accordance with SGB IX.
Further information on short-term care can be obtained from the two Landschaftsverbände Rheinland (LVR) and Westfalen-Lippe (LWL), among others.
Tips for families looking for accommodation
What is important when you are looking for a suitable form of accommodation for your child? These tips can help:
- Inform early: There are sometimes long waiting times when looking for suitable residential groups. A good time for planning is around two years before leaving school.
- Realistically assess needs: Realistically observe and clarify how much support is really needed. The individual support requirements will be determined together with the respective facility provider.
- Community or individual: Consider together with your child what is better suited to their personal wishes and needs: an individual apartment, outpatient living or a residential group with round-the-clock care.
- Location and distance: Clarify questions such as: How far away from home can the facility be so that regular visits are possible if they are desired. Where is the location and how is it connected to public transport?
- Environment and leisure activities: Check together how important the environment is to you and what requirements you have for nearby leisure activities and a good infrastructure.
- Participation: If you decide on a residential group, ask how the residents are involved in shaping everyday life. Examples of participation include the selection of meals and leisure activities, the preparation and organization of parties and much more.
- Check out regional offers: Compare the offers and residential projects of the various providers and initiatives in your area to find out what suits you and your child best.
- Get advice: There are various advisory services that can help you find the right offer. You can find them at the bottom of this page under "Where can we find help and advice?".
- Contact the responsible benefit provider at an early stage. Because: Only when an application for benefits has been submitted can the needs assessment start and benefits be approved. You can find out how to apply here: LWL and LVR.
Who bears the costs of independent living?
The costs of care in accordance with SGB IX are generally covered by the integration assistance providers if the income or assets of the young adult with a disability are insufficient. Depending on the need for support, care insurance or pension insurance may also cover the costs. The costs for the accommodation itself are covered by social welfare under SGB XII if the income or assets of the young adult with a disability are insufficient.
In all cases, it is advisable to seek advice at an early stage when it comes to covering the costs of disability-friendly housing, applying for rent subsidies, benefits from the social welfare office or the personal budget.
Where can we find help and advice?
Free advice is available from the Landschaftsverband Rheinland LVR and the LWL-Inklusionsamt Soziale Teilhabe.
The supplementary independent participation advice service EUTB offers free advice on integration assistance and services for living in a special form of accommodation.
In the Rhineland, the coordination, contact and advice centers (KoKoBe) and the social psychiatric centers (SPZ) also provide individual advice on independent living.
In particularly complex life situations where many strands have to come together, the Competence Centers for Independent Living (KSL) can also help you.
There is an advice center for inclusive housing projects in North Rhine-Westphalia. Wohn:Sinn is an alliance for inclusive living that is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can live independently and in an active community. Initial advice and many services are free of charge.
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