From Protecting to Empowering – Training for Parents
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping young people develop skills, make choices, understand their rights, and prepare for adulthood.
But supporting independence can also mean learning when to step forward, when to step back, and when to let young people make decisions for themselves.
A new training resource for parents and caregivers
Developed by the Access Center for Independent Living, Fostering Independence is an interactive, six-module training designed for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults with disabilities.
The curriculum introduces families to Independent Living philosophy and provides practical ways to encourage choice, self-advocacy, decision-making, skill development, and community participation.
To help bring the training to families throughout Ohio, a two-day virtual Train-the-Trainer session introduced CIL staff to the curriculum and approaches for facilitating it.
Explore choice, consumer control, self-determination, dignity of risk, and what independence really means.
Explore how to gradually move from doing for a young person to partnering, coaching, and supporting their decisions.
Develop everyday skills, meaningful choices, self-advocacy, and person-centered plans.
Understand disability rights, decision-making supports, and preparing for adulthood.
Discover services, peer connections, community resources, and supports for families.
Work with the young person to develop meaningful goals, identify supports, and plan manageable next steps.
The Family Action Plan
One of the most useful resources developed for the project is the Fostering Independence Family Action Plan.
Rather than giving families a checklist of expectations, this tool starts with the young person’s own priorities and helps turn meaningful goals into manageable steps.
How the action planning process works
Preparing CIL staff to bring the training to families
On September 29 and 30, 2026, the two-day Train-the-Trainer sessions were conducted virtually through Zoom.
Facilitators Barbara Thomas and Lisa Marn introduced the curriculum and provided guidance on presenting the material, engaging families, supporting accessibility, and navigating sensitive conversations while remaining grounded in Independent Living philosophy.
Participating Centers for Independent Living:
Access Center for Independent Living
Independence Alliance
The Center for Disability Empowerment
Independent Living Center of North Central Ohio
Services for Independent Living
This project was funded with Title VII Part B funding to support activities to provide training regarding the IL philosophy.