Every person with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, autonomy, and the support they choose throughout their life. As parents and other lifelong caregivers grow older, many families face difficult questions about the future. Families often tackle these challenges without the information, resources, support, or guidance they need to plan ahead. We recognize that unfortunately, these conversations tend to happen only during a crisis, limiting options and creating unnecessary stress for both families and people with disabilities.
Thanks to a generous grant from Dogwood Health Trust, Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) is working to improve this process. Through this initiative, DRNC is partnering with people with I/DD, families, advocates, and community organizations to develop accessible, plain-language tools and trainings that support caregiving transitions and future planning while protecting individual rights and self-determination. From legal and financial planning resources to practical guidance on supported decision-making and long-term care planning, this project is grounded in the voices and lived experiences of North Carolinians with disabilities. Through this project, DRNC is helping families prepare for caregiving transitions in ways that honor choice, strengthen communities, and ensure people with I/DD remain at the center of every decision about their future.
Please watch this space, and look to our social media for updates on this critical project, as well as information on how you can help shape this work.
