Supports That Help You Live More Independently in The Community

If you live on your own, with family or roommates in the community, Assistive Technology, Environmental Modifications, and Vehicle Modifications are all supports you can request through the OPWDD Home and Community-Based Services Waiver. These supports can assist you to live in your own place, or with your family, and be a part of your community.

Your Care Manager can help decide if you need any of these supports and include this information in your Life Plan. There may be times when your Care Manager will help you get a special assessment to help decide what you need. Your Care Manager will also work with the OPWDD Office in your Region to submit a service request for you. If OPWDD approves your service request, your Care Manager will work with the OPWDD Regional Office to assist with the rest of the process to get what you need.

Assistive Technology is an item, equipment, software, or system to help you perform tasks to live as independently as possible. Assistive Technology can help enhance your daily living skills and increase your independence or quality of life. You can also get help selecting the best device or equipment to meet your needs and get training on how to use it.

Examples: A program for a communications device, an app for your phone, a picture board that helps you navigate your community.

Environmental Modifications are changes to your home to help you live as independently and safely as possible. Modifications can also be made to address sensory or behavioral needs.

Examples include: A ramp to your front door, a roll-in shower in your bathroom, Braille identifications systems and strobe light smoke detectors, reinforcement of walls or windows, and open-door signal devices. 

Vehicle Modifications are changes to your vehicle, or to the vehicle your family uses to help you, so you can get out into your community safely.

Examples: A lift to assist you with getting into and out of a vehicle and the equipment to help your wheelchair stay in place while the vehicle is moving.

OPWDD adheres to the safety standards of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) Quality Assurance Program (QAP).  All vehicle modifications must be completed by a NMEDA QAP accredited Installer/Modifier.  

When considering a vehicle modification the following steps MUST be completed:

Consult with NMEDA for most recent guidance on vehicle conversions and NMEDA-authorized vendors.

Verify the vehicle can be modified by a NMEDA-certified vendor.

Please note: Not all vehicle make/model/trim levels can be converted.  Before purchasing a vehicle for conversion, consult with a NMEDA mobility dealer or the conversion manufacturer to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and confirm that the specific make/model/trim is compatible.

Home-Enabling Supports are technology devices or subscriptions to help promote, maintain, or improve a person's interactions, supports meaningful relationships, or support their ability to live independently and meaningfully participate in their community. Home Enabling Supports assist a person to be more independent and less reliant on physically present support staff.

Examples:  Assistive Devices/Technology, Remote Supports, and Health Assessment and Coordination Services. 

Talk to your Care Manager about Home Enabling Supports could help you.

Other Supports that may help you live independently in your community may include things like Durable Medical Equipment or Personal Care health supports that are not available through the OPWDD Home and Community-Based Services Waiver.

Your Care Manager will help you decide what you need and if what you need is available through the NYS Department of Health or through another source. Your Care Manager would then, on your behalf, follow the process to get you what you need. 

Live-In Caregiver is where housing is reimbursed for someone providing support to you in exchange for providing care. This program provides housing support for the caregiver and ensures you have assistance with your daily needs in your home. 

This program is only available to those who enroll in Self-Direction to pay for their services. 

A paid neighbor is someone who is paid a monthly stipend and can help you when you need assistance with a particular task. They are “on call” to help you as needed. This role helps fill gaps in a person's support network, providing help with various needs such as community involvement, personal hygiene, or as a backup for other caregivers. 

Paid Neighbor is a support only available to people to enroll in Self-Direction, and the specific responsibilities and services are determined through your self-directed plan.

Community Habilitation is a Medicaid-funded OPWDD program where trained staff provide one-on-one support and training to develop or enhance your skills needed to live more independently or achieve your personal goals.

People who live in the community can receive community habilitation. Services are typically provided in the person's home or non-certified community locations. Your care manager can help you to access community habilitation. 

OPWDD’s Family Support Services provide programs and supports to help families keep their loved ones with developmental disabilities safe and living at home. To be eligible for Family Support Services, a person must have eligibility for OPWDD services and live at home full-time with one or more non-paid family members or non-paid caregiver. 

There are a wide variety of Family Support Services available to assist you with caring for your loved one at home. Programs vary from region to region and may include assistance with:  Advocacy, After-School Programs, Behavioral Support, Crisis Services, Family Reimbursement, Family Counseling and Training, Information and Referral, Parent and Sibling Groups, Recreation/Camp, Respite, Service Access, Social Skills Training, Specialized Equipment and Home Modifications, and Transportation. 

See our Family Support Services Brochure for more information.