Enrichment Opportunities

There are many different enrichment opportunities open to adults with intellectual disabilities through employment, education, and community involvement.

Day Services and Supports include Supported Employment, Community Participation, Day Habilitation, or an individualized combination of these supports.

Employment is often the first step towards independence, allowing a person to be self-sufficient and fostering a sense of pride and self-worth. Supported Employment services allow people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to earn an income by working at a job appropriate for them. This support may include direct support of the person as well as services such as job matching, job training, and ongoing coordination with the employer. Supported Employment emphasizes work settings that integrate people with and without disabilities. Supported Employment can be provided to individuals and small groups.

Community Participation (CP) supports and services enable an individual to fully participate in their community through a wide array of enriching activities and opportunities focused around education, culture, volunteerism, health, fitness, and recreation. CP can increases a person's self-esteem by providing individuals the chance to become active, vital members of the community. CP can be provided one-on-one or to groups of 2-3 people.

Day Habilitation services and supports provide individuals the opportunity to acquire, retain, or improve certain skills. Areas of support and training include: daily living, social interactions, self-help, and communication. "Day Hab" services can help individuals learn new skills and discover abilities, decreasing dependency. Services include "day centers" and "sheltered workshops".

NOTE: You do not have to choose the same agency to provide Day and Residential Services.