A cutting-edge residential experience that creates an inclusive home for adults with developmental disabilities.
THE DANI DIFFERENCE
Cost effective, high-quality, fully accessible housing, community spaces, and person-directed programming for adults who can not live independently and need extra support.
The home(s) provide a supportive environment and positively impact the lives of residents with disabilities, who are the most marginalized and negatively impacted community in the housing sector.
Our team includes professionals from various backgrounds, such as social work, vocational training, healthcare, and education. By involving individuals with diverse experiences, we ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of neurodivergent adults. Our guiding principles highlight empowerment and sustainability with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing everyone's truth as a benefit to delivering meaningful and effective solutions.
A HOLISTIC, SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT
Residents benefit from a comprehensive support network and standard of living previously unheard of with legacy models.
We focus on the unique strengths, abilities and preferences that our residents bring and are committed to a person-directed approach. Our activities aren't pre-packaged; they're crafted to explore the potential of each individual's personal abilities, aspirations, goals, and interests. Our role isn't to define what they can or cannot do, but to empower them to discover their strengths, and exceed their own expectations. We deploy a strategy that makes the most of every resource to champion the empowerment of adults with developmental disabilities.
Whether it is volunteering or working for a fair wage, our residents develop the skills needed to perform meaningful and valued work. Incorporating life skills, vocational training and recreation into the residence(s), we empower residents to lead more independent lives and actively participate in their community, increasing their sense of belonging and purpose, and reducing strain on various public and private systems. Our model emphasizes the importance of personalized care and support, ensuring that each resident receives the attention and resources needed to thrive.
EMPOWERING INDEPENDENCE AND BUILDING COMMUNITY
We employ a unique triage system operated by a third party to review potential residents, placing individuals with similar goals, interests, desires, and compatibility together to ensure a great mix, so they can make friends and socialize while developing their independence.
Each residence operates like a family home, rather than a residential complex. Though traditional “family time” such as meals together is encouraged, they are treated as adults, and are free to do as they please. They are encouraged to lead the lives they want for themselves, rather than ones envisioned for them.
Residents are encouraged to participate in all activity planning. In place of providing programming that residents must adhere to, or choose between, we embrace the person-directed philosophy and view our role as complementary rather than compulsory.
ALL RESIDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO:
-
Residents have the right to live in a safe and secure environment.
-
Residents have the right to personal space and confidentiality.
-
Residents have the right to explore new experiences and challenges.
-
Residents have the right to speak up for themselves and be heard.
-
Residents have the right to form and maintain meaningful relationships.
-
Residents have the right to be included and participate in their community.
-
Residents have the right to make their own choices about their lives.
-
Residents have the right to set boundaries and decline what they do not want.
-
Residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
-
Residents have the right to develop skills and reach their potential.
-
Residents have the right to feel proud of their individuality and achievements.
PURPOSEFUL LIVING
We create accessible environments to support independence, active living, personal goal actualization, a more meaningful existence and a sense of purpose for our residents, leading to enhanced self-confidence, self-reliance, and a higher quality of life.
-
Staffing
We uniquely employ live-in directors, who act as "house parents", fostering family-like environments, deeper relationships, and a comprehensive understanding of residence needs, desires, and attitudes.
In contrast, legacy models employ third-party agency staff who are typically scheduled based on availability across multiple service agencies. That traditional approach sacrifices consistency to meet coverage needs, resulting in a "revolving door" of staff at residential housing programs.
-
Community
Our residence(s) are carefully selected to be located near like-minded agencies and community partners, and are designed to function as community hubs, with spaces that encourage interactions among all parties, promoting a holistic approach to care that extends beyond the immediate residential setting.
These include learning environments, and recreational facilities that promote social connections and skills, boost confidence, build friendships, foster community engagement and improve quality of life.
-
Vitality
Each resident’s health and well-being are monitored continuously, with regular assessments and updates to health profiles as needed. Each resident’s Individual Support Plan is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect their current needs and to ensure future adjustments are planned for in advance.
Our home(s) are constructed to the highest safety and accessibility standards and are designed to be adaptable to the changing needs of residents throughout their lives, and are fully equipped to satisfy any disability as they age.
THE HOUSING CRISIS
The cost of owning a home continues to be set at an impossible price for the majority of people (newcomers, young professionals, and low-income families).
This reality has increased the demand for rental properties, creating a rental fee hike that is untenable to this same population, leaving them with very few options outside of poverty. This reality is especially true for persons with developmental disabilities, who have limited options for employment (if there are any at all).
Our innovative model not only improves the quality of life for residents, but also reduces operational costs by up to 50%, presenting a more sustainable, cost-effective, and impactful alternative to legacy housing models.
Waitlists
The government-funded housing waitlist exceeds 35 years and is only applicable for those in urgent need (e.g., homelessness, unsafe living conditions). Without such crises, the wait extends beyond average life expectancy.
Aging Parents
As parents of adults with developmental disabilities age, they carry a very real worry about how their child will be taken care of when they are no longer able to. This is a frightening and stressful reality for parents in a world where care costs are too high to afford.
Caregiver Burnout
The financial and emotional costs of caregiving are escalating, leading to a crisis in the quality and availability of care.