Supported Living HouseingFact Sheet
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Ten Commandments for Communicating with People with Disabilities
1) Speak directly rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter who may also be present.
2) Offer to shake hands when introduced. People with limited hand use or an artificial limb can usually shake hands and offering the left hand is an acceptable greeting.
3) Always identify yourself and others who may be with you when meeting someone with a visual impairment. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.
4) If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen or ask for instructions.
5) Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first
names only when extending that same familiarity to all others. Never patronize people in wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulders.
6) Do not lean against or rest a hand on someone's wheelchair. Bear in mind disabled people treat their chairs as extensions of their own bodies.
7) Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking and wait for them to finish. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a node or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead repeat what you have understood and allow
the person to respond.
8) Place yourself at eye level when speaking with someone in a wheelchair or on crutches.
9) Tap a hearing-impaired person on the shoulder or wave your hand to get his/her attention. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the person can read your lips. If so, try to face the
light source and keep hands from your mouth when speaking.
10) RELAX. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions
such as "See You Later" or "Did you hear about this?"
that seem to relate to a person's disability.
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Our Lady of the Wayside Supported Living Housing Fact Sheet
In supported living, the empowerment of the consumer is the underlying philosophy that determines how the process works. Therefore, the following requirements must be in place:
- The landlord must be a separate entity from the provider of service.
this gives the consumer the ability to change providers without having
to move out of his/her home.
- The consumers must have the opportunity to choose both the landlord
and the service provider.
- The consumers must also have the opportunity to decide who they will
live with.
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What is the difference between a supported living home and a group home?
A supported living home is typical family dwelling in a neighborhood where
3-4 people may choose to live together. Each person has his/her own individual bedroom. A group home is a structure or house that is built to
accommodate 6-8 people who might even share bedroom space.
Who owns the supported living home?
The owner of the home can be any housing corporation, individual landlord
in the community, a family member of one of the consumers living there, or
A family consortium. (a group of families of consumers that purchase the home together.)
How does a supported living home get developed?
Who starts the process?
Consumers must be on the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation
(CCBMR) waiting list as an emergency or priority status in order to qualify
for supported living placement. The family of the consumer or the consumer
himself should regularly check his/her status with CCBMR to find out where
they are on the list. The family should regularly update CCBMR intake department in regard to life changes that may move a person from regular
status to emergency or priority status. Ie..parents who are caring for the consumer have health problems that affect their ability to continue to support
their loved one. Families should communicate their concerns in writing to
their assigned Support Administrator. CCBMR would then respond in terms of whether or not they can support services, since funding is limited.
Who will buy the home?
CCBMR allocates funds within its budget annually for new home development. Funds received from the state are very limited which is why the waiting list for placement is so long and moves so slowly. Once CCBMR
Is ready to develop a home, housing monies are allocated to North Coast Community Homes (this is the vendor that the county board most often chooses to be the landlord). North Coast Homes is informed about the group
Of consumers that have chosen to live together and conducts a housing search within the community of their choice, according to their needs. In some cases, CCBMR will choose to work with other vendors to do the housing search.
Can a family member purchase a home for their loved one to receive services?
Yes. If the consumer is on emergency or priority status, the family member
can offer to purchase the home to expedite the process. CCBMR would have to agree to support such a plan, since the funding for services in the
home would still have to come from CCBMR. The family member would need to communicate this decision in writing to the assigned support administrator at CCBMR.
What are the advantages and disadvantages involved with a family member purchasing the home?
The placement process moves faster for that individual and they have more control in terms of where the home is and how it is maintained and assures long-term stability of the placement. The disadvantage is that the family member takes on the responsibility of being the landlord for 2-3 other people in addition to his/her family member.
Can I purchase a home for my family member, but have someone else maintain the property?
Yes. Family members have done this in the past. They have done this by
contracting with a vendor who agrees to maintain the home for them.
Do the roommates need to be chosen before the home is purchased?
No. Not always. In cases where CCBMR initiates the process, they often have 3-4 people meet before doing the housing search. When families pur-chase the home, they will often look for a house that best suits their own needs and the needs of their loved one. The type of house that is purchased and its location will influence roommate selection. (ie..if the house has an
upstairs bedroom, then the person living there needs to be able to go up and down stairs.)
Can I choose someone to do the housing search for me?
Yes. Family members can contract with another agency or housing corporation to do the actual housing search.
Does a supported living home have to be licensed?
There is no requirement for licensing in the state of Ohio for a supported living home.
Does the home need approval from the city planning commission?
No. The purchase of the home is like any other home purchase. Any additions to the home or changes on the exterior of the property (ie.widening
the driveway) would require city permits.
What kinds of things should I take into consideration when looking for a
Supported Living home?
The needs of the individuals (ie.wide areas for wheelchairs, accessibility,etc). The driveway should be wide enough and long enough to accommodate parking and a mini van or lift van. There should be enough common area (living spaces) for the individuals to have visitors/guests without infringing on each others' space. (living room, family room, kitchen and two bathrooms)
When is the service provider selected?
A family may choose their service provider at any point in the process. CCBMR will typically give the family a list of providers before or during the development of the home, if they are the ones initiating the process. Some families do their own research and meet providers on their own before a home is purchased. Families may certainly, at any time, inform their service coordinator at CCBMR in writing if they have already established a relationship with a provider and want that particular provider even before the home is purchased.
Is there an advantage to choosing the service provider before the home is
purchased?
Yes. The service provider can assist with the roommate selection process and have a better understanding of the needs of all of the individuals sooner in the process. This makes it easier to identify the staffing needs and supports.
How do the individuals pay the rent and the bills?
Each individual signs a standard lease agreement with the landlord. The lease agreement outlines the amount of rent to be paid each month. The service provider assists each person with paying utilities and groceries. These bills are divided among the tenants.
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