Vancouver, WA, Groups for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Vancouver, WA, is one of the most beautiful small cities in the US and is close to some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Not only that, but it’s also an extremely welcoming community for people of all walks of life. For adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, it can be an excellent place to settle down, as there are a wide variety of support groups, community programs, and resources here to help. In this post, we’ll go through some of Vancouver’s organizations for adults with special needs.
Autism Empowerment is a local organization dedicated to serving youth and adults who are on the autism spectrum and their families. They provide several support groups, like the Southwest Washington Adults on the Spectrum Support Group, which is held here at Stephen’s Place, which meets monthly for adults with autism or Asperger’s to connect with each other. The group also offers other programs, like volunteering and other special events, and encourages connection and building relationships. Autism Empowerment also has other support groups, like AWEtism We Embrace, open to parents, partners, and adults who are on the spectrum, as well as a radio podcast and Spectrum Life magazine.
Just across the river from SW Washington State, in Portland, is UCP Oregon. They started over 50 years ago as an organization for adults with cerebral palsy, but they have now expanded to assist people of all ages who experience developmental disabilities. For adults, they offer several programs, like Brokerage Services, Supported Living, and Supported Employment. They also do fundraisers such as Walk, Roll ‘n’ Run. Some of the residents at Stephen’s Place participate in Walk, Roll ‘n’ Run and have a total blast doing it. UCP Oregon aims to remove barriers and help adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities connect with local resources, live independently, and find fulfilling employment.
Stephen’s Place, located in Vancouver, is primarily a residential home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also offer day programs. These programs allow adults with disabilities to connect with each other and participate in activities like art, gardening, fitness classes, board games and more, as well as community activities, like volunteering, job training, and life skills classes. At Stephen’s Place, we aim to provide residents and participants a space to grow and build more independent lives. More on Stephen’s Place below.
The Arc of Southwest Washington
The Arc of Southwest Washington works with the Washington State government to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible. They run programs like supported living, which provides individualized assistance, whether that be help with grocery shopping, financial advice, or medical care. Also available are several community programs, like their Respite Program, which provides educational activities for disabled citizens of all ages.
Clark County Developmental Disabilities Program
First off, the local government runs the Clark County Developmental Disabilities Program, as a way to enhance the quality of life for residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities. For adults, they offer a Supported Employment Program, which provides job training, and many trainees receive long-term employment. They also offer long-term support and assistance for those already employed, and financial planning assistance by experts in Social Security regulations.
These are just some of the many resources available in the Vancouver, WA, area. Others include PEACE NW, Specialty Athletic Training (located in Stephen’s Place Vancouver as well as other Pac NW areas), Building Independence, Brick Zone Kids, Special Celebrations, SCORE, Habitat for Humanity, Miracle League, Autism Moms Support Group, Kids Kare Klub, AE adult support, Kapernum (young teen disabilities group), Autism Rocks, AE Group, and WISE, among others. They provide support groups, assistance, physical activity inc. Special Olympics training and group workouts, proms, creative outlets, and job training for adults with disabilities.
Southwest Washington is an incredibly welcoming community, with many organizations focused on visibility, inclusion, and quality of life for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Disabled adults living here have access to incredible support and resources to live their best and most fulfilling life.
About Stephen’s Place
Stephen’s Place is an independent apartment community for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, located in Vancouver, WA (7 minutes from Portland, OR).
If you have a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities, who is looking for a community to live in, please contact us for more information.
Stephen’s Place is a private-pay apartment community due to our state-of-the-art amenities and programs. We are a nonprofit and do not profit from our community. We are private pay because we spend more than some housing communities to ensure that our residents are comfortable and can safely live their lives with independence and dignity.