Supported Independent Living

Ottawa-Carleton Lifeskills supports 19 individuals who live in their own apartments, either alone or with a friend. These individuals rent their own apartments in locations most suitable to their own needs, employment, social activities and finances. As with all OCL programs, individuals must have a developmental disability, and may also have other disabilities. In addition, candidates who can benefit from the SIL program must have some self-help and safety skills, given the fact that each person receives approximately four (4) hours per week of staff support. These hours are divided and planned according to their own schedules.

Wherever two friends or partners share an apartment, their hours of support and instruction can be increased by seeing both together. However, each person can be supported according to his own needs; and individual time is available. When an individual in crisis needs more support, the SIL staff and supervisor can shift hours to provide the extra assistance over the short term.

Most persons in SIL need help with budgeting and paying bills, housekeeping, shopping and cooking, managing medical issues, problem-solving and social relationships.