A Disability-Friendly Model for Independent Living

For people with special needs, reaching the age of 21 is often described as “falling off the cliff” because many of the available support structures, activities, and programs suddenly disappear. When that happens, social anchors such as school, classmates, and friends also vanish, often leaving both the child and parent with new feelings of isolation. One way to rebuild these connections to move toward living independently. Communities designed for people with special needs, such as the one our guests are here to discuss, can ease that transition.

Main Street is an organization dedicated to building a holistic model of supportive and stable housing for people with disabilities. Founders Jillian and Scott Copeland‘s son Nicholas has epilepsy and lives with special needs. As he approached adulthood, the Copelands struggled to find an ideal living situation for Nicholas.  Jillian and Scott began to envision a community that would provide Nicholas and others like him the opportunity not just to live but to thrive independently.

The result is Main Street, a new model of inclusive, affordable housing with community engagement baked in “so people of all abilities can live their best lives.” Today on Seizing Life, Jillian and Scott discuss the how their vision creates a community of belonging and how it may serve as a model for others to follow.

Learn about Main Street’s Virtual Summer Membership: A Space of Belonging.

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