Resource Link

https://futureplanning.thearc.org/pages/learn/future-planning-101

Resource Description

Introduction: This resource is a video by the Arc. It focuses on future planning, defined as making a guide for someone with an intellectual or developmental disability so that they live a good, independent life. Future planning is especially key if a parent or caregiver is no longer able to be a support.

Resource Summary

Content Summary: The video tells a person with a disability where to get started with future planning. There are more webinars and videos with deeper information. Videos say why future planning is important. There are topics about basics of future planning and building a plan. It gives stories of how others have planned and how to get help. Future planning information can be for a person with a disability. It can also be for a parent, caregiver, or friend. It may include planning about where to live or what to do every day. It may also include planning about likes and dislikes or important people in life. Planning can be for work, activities, and relationships. It is important to have trusted supporters help with future planning. To use future planning, the first step is to get advice. Thinking about wants can help get sound advice from trusted supporters. People who use future planning tell stories of how it went. They say why future planning helped them. They advise other people with disabilities to use future planning. Future planning should be person-centered. This means the person with the disability should make choices about their own future. Future plans should have information about daily routines. They should say things about housing, money, healthcare, and medicine. They should name doctors, health history, and school history. They should say social history, like jobs, skills, and hobbies. Religion, interests, and friends may also be included. All of this information can help a future plan be person-centered. There is a tool to help with making a future plan. To use this tool, you must make an account. There is a tool to find resources for future planning. These are based on the state you live in. Resources could be lawyers, money planners, or advocates. They could be agencies in your state that help people with disabilities. There is a list of professionals who can help with future planning. More video clips tell more stories about future planning. They say why future planning is important. They explain how to make choices. Some clips help with housing and public benefits. Others give information about trusts and bank accounts. There are topics on jobs and friends. There are topics on making new friends and getting through grief or loss. Information is shared on how to get fast help if needed. This could be short or long term support.