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Independent Living

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Accessible Housing Tips 

  • AT4All 

    • https://al.at4all.com

    • A database of devices that are available to Alabama residents for demonstration, loan, or available in our reutilization centers 

    • Contact 

    • Short Term Device Loans 

      • A service that allows Alabama residents with disabilities and older adults with functional needs the opportunity to test assistive technology for 30 days  

      • No cost  

    • Reutilization Program 

      • A variety of durable medical equipment and other assistive technology devices are free and available to anyone with no restrictions  

      • 5 reutilization locations across the state of Alabama  

  • Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology 

    • https://www.startraining.org

    • Assistive Technology Training 

      • Provide in-person or remote trainings on a multitude of AT topics as well as coordinate with vendors and other experts  

    • Technical Assistance 

      • Assist with coordinating and collaborating with experts to provide tech support  

    • Assistive Technology Demonstration 

      • Request a demonstration of assistive technology devices or software available to the rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology team  

      • Can collaborate with vendors and service providers to obtain additional assistive technology devices  

    • Information and Referral Services 

      • Request information about assistive technology or information regarding services you may qualify for in Alabama  

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Ability Alliance of West Alabama

  • Ability Alliance's mission is to positively affect the quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities by helping to ensure that the appropriate and quality services are available and accessible throughout their lifespan.  

  • Provides support coordination for those with intellectual disabilities in Tuscaloosa, Bibb, and Pickens county  

    • Single point of entry into the Alabama Department of Mental Health's Division of Intellectual Disabilities  

    • Assessment and evaluation for eligibility determination and placement on the State's Waiting List for services from the Intellectual Disabilities Division and Medicaid Home and Community based services  

    • Case management and follow along services  

  • Referral Process 

    • Call 1-800-361-4491 

  • Eligibility  

    • Over the age of 21  

    • Diagnosed with an intellectual disability and an IQ of 74 

    • Documentation needed: 

      • Psychological evaluation from before and after the age of 18

  • Website: https://www.abilityalliance.info/

  • Phone: 205-333-1577​

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Alabama ABLE Savings Plan

  • ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are an innovative way for people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without jeopardizing means-tested benefits, such as SSI or Medicaid.  

  • Eligibility 

    • Any individual who has the onset of disability before the age of 26 and meets one of the following: 

    • Eligible to receive benefits based on disability (SSI or SSDI) 

    • Has a disability certification signed by a physician declaring individual meets social security definition of disability  

  • Expenses that can be paid using ABLE account funds 

    • Healthcare 

    • Housing 

    • Education 

    • Employment training and support 

    • Transportation 

    • Assistive technology 

    • Financial management 

    • Legal fees 

    • Expenses for oversight and monitoring 

    • Funeral and burial expenses  

  • Website: www.alabamaable.gov

  • Phone: 833-711-2253

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Indian Rivers Behavioral Health Day Habilitation Program

  • Assists individuals develop new interests and skills through daily living activities to support independent living  

  • Contact 205-391-3131

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United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama

  • The Personal Care Companion (PC/C) Service 

    • Supports Provided: 

      • Bathing 

      • Toileting 

      • Transfer and ambulation 

      • Skin care 

      • Grooming 

      • Dressing 

      • Extensions of therapies and exercise 

      • Routine care of adaptive equipment 

      • Primarily involving cleaning as needed 

      • Meal preparations  

      • Assistance with eating 

      • Incidental light household cleaning and laundry directly related to the care of the participant 

 

  • Home Respite Care Services 

    • In-Home Respite  

    • Contact: Adrienne Bennet 

      • 205-345-5083 

    • Offers essential support within the comfort of an individual's residence 

    • Provides temporary relief to unpaid primary caregivers  

    • Caters to the short-term care needs of dependent family members 

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State of Alabama Independent Living (SAIL)

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  • SAIL PROGRAMS 

    • COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES 

    • Eligibility  

      • Serves Alabama residents who have a severe disability that limits the individual's ability to maintain independence, and there is evidence that the receipt of services will improve the individual's ability to retain independence  

    • Services 

      • Coordination of services 

      • Assessment for assistive technology  

      • Minor assistive technology  

      • Minor home modifications or adaptions  

      • Information and referrals 

      • Services to family members when it enhances independence of client 

    • Could be a newly injured individual needing to be pointed in the right direction 

    • Individual doesn't fit into any other category of services 

    • Short term services to enable independence  

    • Bridge to other long term services  

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  • HOMEBOUND 

    • Eligibility 

      • Serves Alabama residents who are at least 16 years old, have a medical diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and/or quadriplegia (or other diagnosis on a case by case basis), are dependent on others for assistance with 6 out of 8 activities of daily living, demonstrate financial need, and are not eligible to receive the same services from other sources.  

    • Services 

      • Patient and family education 

      • Guidance and counseling 

      • Nursing management  

      • Evaluation for assistive technology 

      • Attendant care 

      • Assistance with disability related medical supplies/medications 

      • Limited home modifications 

      • Prescribed medical equipment  

      • Assistive technology repairs  

      • Referral to other services 

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  • WAIVER 

    • Eligibility 

      • Serves Alabama residents who are 18 years old or older with onset of disability prior to age 63, meets nursing facility level of care criteria, and meets Medicaid financial eligibility.  

      • Diagnoses: quadriplegia, traumatic brain injury, ALS, MS, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, severe cerebral palsy, stroke, etc.  

    • Services 

      • Personal care 

      • Evaluation for assistive technology 

      • Environmental accessibility adaptations 

      • Medical supplies/minor assistive technology 

      • Personal emergency response system installation and monthly payments 

      • Assistive technology 

      • Assistive technology repairs  

      • Personal assistant services: personal care at work and transportation to and from work  

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  • HYBRID SERVICES 

    • Blends services from ADRS vocational rehabilitation program and the Homebound/Waiver program to work toward a good employment outcome and the empowerment of clients.  

    • To provide specialized employment and education related services and training to individuals who have the most severe disabilities and require substantial resources, substantial supports, and specialized services in order to gain and maintain competitive employment 

    • Services 

      • Case management 

      • Evaluation and counseling 

      • Vocational assessment  

      • Educational supports 

      • Job training 

      • Job placement  

      • Evaluation for assistive technology 

      • Medical supplies/minor assistive technology  

      • Assistive technology repairs 

      • Environmental accessibility adaptions  

      • Personal emergency response system installation and monthly payments 

      • Personal care 

      • Personal assistant services  

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The Arc of Tuscaloosa

  • McGraw Center 

    • Offers day services through community-based education, prevocational and adaptive daily living skills training, and support  

    • Instruction is administered in academics, prevocational skills, communication, and personal care/hygiene  

 

  • Personal Care 

    • In-home Services 

      • Bathing 

      • Toileting 

      • Grooming 

      • Dressing 

      • Exercise 

      • Meal preparation 

      • Assistance with eating 

      • Incidental cleaning and laundry

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  • Community Services 

    • Accompaniment  

    • Coaching 

    • Minor problem solving 

      • Transportation 

      • Shopping 

      • Banking 

      • Social interaction 

      • Recreation  

      • Leisure activities  

 

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