Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. We celebrate inclusion and independence. We talk about amazing self-advocates. This year, our own James Meadours has an incredible story to share. He is celebrating 30 years of independent living!

Tips for Success

James has been a leader in the self-advocacy movement for many years. He empowers others to live the lives they want. Along the way, he has learned valuable lessons. Here are his top three tips for independent living.

1. Build Skills

Living independently means learning new skills. This includes tasks like cooking, paying bills, and using public transportation. It also includes self-advocacy skills. This can mean planning ahead, making choices, and solving problems. James remembers cooking his first meal after moving out of his group home. He wanted to make spaghetti. But he didn’t realize how much pasta to use for one person. Instead of making a single portion, he made enough for ten people! He laughs about it now. But that moment taught him the importance of learning and practicing new skills.

2. Build a Great Circle of Support

Independent living doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Having a strong support network is key. This can include family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. James remembers watching the Super Bowl with friends years ago. He told them how much he wished he had his own place. He wanted to host his own Super Bowl party. His friends didn’t just listen—they grabbed a newspaper and got to work! They helped James find an apartment. They helped him pay the deposit. They even helped him move in. That moment changed his life, proving that the right support can make all the difference.

3. Expect Bumps in the Road

Independent living comes with challenges. James says that’s okay. The key is to be patient with yourself and ask for help when needed. For example, every year, James has to reapply for his housing subsidy. The process is stressful. He has to do a lot of paperwork. Sometimes he worries about having to pay too much rent. But he reminds himself to stay calm, take it one step at a time, and lean on his support network. Having people in his corner helps him push through the tough times.

Hear James’ Story

Want to hear James talk about his journey in his own words? Watch the video below!

Learn More About Independent Living

Looking for more resources?

• Check out our Virtual Peer Support playlist on YouTube. It has advice on skill building, living on your own, transportation, and more.
• We also have free self-advocacy courses on the Self-Advocate Network Academy. They cover planning ahead, making choices, and solving problems to reach your goals. Self-advocates can work at their own pace. Families, teachers, and service providers can use the courses to teach their loved ones new skills. There are free worksheets you can download and use again and again.
• And stay tuned! James is developing three new courses to help self-advocates thrive. Sign up to get updates when they launch.

Independent living is a journey. With the right skills, support, and mindset, you can build the life you want. Congratulations to James on 30 years of independence!