Relationship Resources

Social Support and Networking Fact Sheet (PDF): This fact sheet lists the different types of social support that we all need and provides tips on how to build a social support network.

Building Support, Living Well in the Community Session (via Healthy Community Living):This online session provides information on how to find and use support to develop solutions to problems in your life. *For this online session, you will need the username and password provided by your CIL staff. Sign in and select the Building Support session.

Peer Support, Community Living Skills Session (via Healthy Community Living): This online session discusses the qualities of a good peer and how you can be a good peer to others in your life. *For this online session, you will need the username and password provided by your CIL staff. Sign in and select the Peer Support session.

Healthy Relationships, Community Living Skills Session (via Healthy Community Living): This online session discusses what you need to know about yourself and identifying want you want in a relationship. Learn about different types of close relationships including romantic relationships, online dating, and relationships with community members like PCAs, coworkers, and other care providers. *For this online session, you will need the username and password provided by your CIL staff. Sign in and select the Healthy Relationships session.

Healthy Communication, Living Well in the Community Session (via Healthy Community Living): This online session describes the important elements of healthy communication and the contexts in which it takes place. Find information about how to talk about disability and communicate your message to others. *For this online session, you will need the username and password provided by your CIL staff. Sign in and select the Healthy Communication session.

Staying on Course- Peer Support, Building Momentum, Living Well in the Community Session (via Healthy Community Living): You can find this portion of the online session, Staying on Course, by clicking the Peer Support and the Building Momentum tabs. Learn how connecting with peers and other supports in your life can help you achieve the things you want to do. *For this online session, you will need the username and password provided by your CIL staff. Sign in and select the Staying on Course session.

Learn about Self-Advocacy: Building Good Relationships (via Self-Advocacy Online): This video describes good relationships and poor relationships and how to build healthy relationships with others.

Making Homes Visitable: A Guide for Wheelchair Users (via Research and Training Center on Independent Living): This resource may help you start the conversation of visitability with your friends and family. It provides guidance on understanding the importance of visitability and how to assess potential barriers to a visit, for guests who use a mobility device and others. This resource also suggests temporary tips and changes that can make a home accessible, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of social gatherings and visits outside their own home.

Learn about Self-Advocacy: Growing your Social Network (Video via Self-Advocacy Online): This video provides tips on evaluating your social network and relationships. Learn how to make changes to make your network stronger.

Find Support Groups (via Mental Health America): This resource provides a list of online support groups to connect you with organizations in your area.

ILRU Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Associations: Find your local Center for Independent Living (CIL) to contact for assistance in gathering information about local resources. Select your state on the map provided here locate the CIL nearest you. Your local CIL can help you find support groups in your area.

Technical Skills - Social Media and Safety & Ethics, Community Living Skills Session (via Healthy Community Living): This portion of the online session, Technical Skills, provides information on how to stay safe and protect your privacy while online or in chatrooms. To find this portion of the session, scroll down the page to the Using the Internet section and select the tabs “Social Media” and “Safety & Ethics”. *For this online session, you will need the username and password provided by your CIL staff. Sign in and select the Technical Skills session.

Working with Your Health Care Provider Facts (via Health Access for Independent Living): This webpage provides basic tips for working with doctors and other health care providers.

How to Get the Most Out of Health Care Visits Fact Sheet (via Healthy Aging & Physical Disability Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, University of Washington): Learn about what to expect from a health care visit and how to prepare for one.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Training and Managing Personal Assistants: Consumer Guide (via Research and Training Center on Independent Living)

This resource offers very helpful information regarding training, managing and working with personal assistants, including checklists for managing tasks. However, since policy regarding programs for personal assistance vary by state, and has been changing, it would be best to check with your local CIL (or ILC, as they are referred to in this resource), for the latest information regarding funding for personal assistance, self-direction, and other programmatic information.

How to Successfully Hire and Manage a Personal Care Assistant for People with Spinal Cord Injury (PDF via Shepherd Center): This resource offers helpful information to consider when hiring and managing a PCA. It provides insight into hiring through a Home Care Agency or a Non-Agency Caregiver and offers different tools you can use during the hiring process like an advertisement template, a tool to assess your own needs for care, and a service agreement template.