With Dushawn Powell, Anita Inz, and Susan Buchanan
Moderated by Jayne Dixon Weber
Parents and caregivers have found it challenging to find suitable housing for adults with learning or developmental disabilities. Affordability, accessibility, and discrimination are just some of the many issues that have turned the issue into a national crisis.
On the housing side, organizations face challenges with policies and regulations, the diverse needs and levels of independence of their tenants, aligning services with employment opportunities, managing transportation, and more.
Adult services may be limited and difficult to access, so how does a parent deal with that nagging question that keeps them up at night: What will happen when I’m gone?
Personal Stories and First-Hand Experiences
Guided by moderator Jayne Dixon Weber, our three guests — Dushawn Powell, Anita Inz, and Susan Buchanan — discuss adult housing for individuals living with developmental disabilities from the perspective of parents and social workers.
Before the live webinar, we asked each of the presenters to prepare a video about their housing options. We then asked registered attendees to review them prior to the live webinar so they could prepare their questions, which they discuss in the video.
These are the videos shared with attendees, and where you can find more in-depth information on each housing option from each of our presenters:
Note: Video will open in a larger window when clicked.
Susan Buchanan
Susan describes her process for setting up a group home for her son Reese. The group home is their existing home.
Note: Video will open in a larger window when clicked.
Anita Inz
Anita discusses POINT↗, where her son is currently living. Founded in 2008 by 15 families and two collaborating agencies, POINT supports adults ages 21 and older with developmental and learning disabilities to live independently in apartments located throughout downtown White Plains, New York. She shares an overview of the history and current status of POINT.
Note: Video will open in a larger window when clicked.
Dushawn Powell
Dushawn is the director of Hearts & Minds Inc.↗, a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities, located in southern California.
about
Jayne Dixon Weber
Jayne served as the NFXF director of community education (and other positions over the years) from 2007 to 2023. She has two adult children, a son with Fragile X syndrome and a daughter. Jayne is the author of Transitioning ‘Special’ Children into Elementary School, co-author of Fragile X Fred, and editor of Children with Fragile X Syndrome: A Parents’ Guide. Jayne likes to read, enjoys photography, and goes for a walk every day.