Supporting Independence helps adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Ohio move toward safe, dignified, and sustainable independence.
Remote support can be an effective long-term solution when individuals, families, and environments are prepared in advance. Our work focuses on helping planning teams:
Preparation, education, and careful planning are the foundation for successful transitions.
Evaluating needs and preferences, addressing anxiety, aligning expectations, and helping planning teams prepare. This may include targeted social work.
Short-term home-based personal care to help stabilize routines and support a successful transition.
Technology used selectively and ethically, only when it reduces risk or safely replaces staff time.
The long-term goal: a sustainable level of independence stabilized in part by remote support when individuals and environments are ready.
Supporting Independence is led by Tricia Venable, whose work focuses on helping individuals, families, and planning teams explore transitions toward greater independence with preparation, education, and ethical use of resources.
Tricia is a licensed social worker with 30 years of experience navigating Ohio’s developmental disabilities system. She also is certified as an assistive technology (AT) professional by the Rehabilitation Engineer and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).
Tricia and the staff at Supporting Independence collaborate closely with counties, SSA teams, and provider partners to support thoughtful planning and sustainable outcomes.