Families trying to help a person with a disability live as independently as possible often have to piece together information about housing, Social Security benefits, Medicaid, technology supports and long-term planning. Fortunately, several useful virtual events are coming up this fall.
I’ve highlighted the ones that look especially relevant for families planning for adulthood and long-term independence.
Monday, October 12 — NC Medicaid Lunch & Learn: Strategic Housing Plan
12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern
North Carolina Medicaid will present an overview of the state’s Strategic Housing Plan, a five-year roadmap aimed at expanding community-based housing opportunities for people with disabilities.
The presentation will include information about people who receive or may qualify for NCDHHS-funded services and who are experiencing homelessness, living in congregate settings, or at risk of entering those settings. It will also discuss programs such as Transitions to Community Living and Money Follows the Person. NC Developmental Disabilities Council
For North Carolina families wondering, “Where might my adult child live someday?”, this is probably one of the most useful sessions on the list.
Learn more and register through the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
Tuesday, October 20 — Why Independent Living May Be Right for Your Family
12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern
This webinar from Consolidated Planning Group focuses on independent living and the supports that can help make it possible.
Rather than looking only at finances, the discussion is expected to address factors such as individual support needs, health, stability and quality of life. Consolidated Planning Group currently lists the webinar on its events calendar. Consolidated Planning Group, Inc.
This could be especially useful for parents who are beginning to ask not simply whether their family member can live independently, but what combination of supports could make independence realistic.
View the webinar and registration information
Tuesday, October 27 — Government Benefits 101
12:00–1:00 p.m. Eastern
Also offered by Consolidated Planning Group, this webinar covers:
SSI and Medicaid, SSDI and Medicare, and Childhood Disability Benefits — the Social Security benefit that many families refer to as DAC benefits. Consolidated Planning Group, Inc.
For families planning for an adult child who may eventually receive benefits based on a parent’s Social Security record, this could provide a helpful introduction to how the programs fit together.
See Government Benefits 101 on the Consolidated Planning Group events page
Wednesday, November 4 — Navigating Federal Benefits
1:00–2:00 p.m. Eastern
Lifeworks is offering a free virtual Lunch & Learn about federal disability benefits.
Topics include:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Section 8 housing vouchers
- benefit eligibility and applications
- strategies for maintaining benefits
The webinar is specifically designed for families of youth with disabilities preparing for adulthood and long-term stability. Registration is required, but the event is free. Lifeworks
Because it combines disability benefits with housing assistance, this may be particularly helpful for families trying to understand how someone could afford to live independently.
Learn more and register for Navigating Federal Benefits
Thursday, November 5 — Beyond the Referral: The TULA Care Pathway to Ongoing Remote Support and Independence
1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern
This North Carolina webinar may be especially interesting for families exploring technology-assisted independent living.
The Technology Ultimate Living Assistant (TULA) program uses assessment, technology and ongoing remote support to help people with disabilities increase their independence, safety and quality of life.
The webinar will explain how someone enters the program, how needs are assessed, how technology supports are selected, and how TULA works with the person, family, providers and care team over time. NC Developmental Disabilities Council
For families wondering whether technology could reduce the amount of in-person assistance an adult with a disability needs, this one is worth a close look.
Learn more and register through NCCDD
Thursday, December 3 — 2026 IDD & Autism Leadership Summit
Begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Netsmart’s 2026 IDD & Autism Leadership Summit is a free, fully virtual event focusing heavily on technology and service delivery for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.
The program is expected to include expert sessions, demonstrations of emerging technology, data-driven tools and examples of ways technology may improve communication, independence and service delivery. Netsmart
This is broader than the other webinars and may be more useful for discovering new ideas and emerging approachesthan for answering specific Social Security or housing questions.
Learn more and register for the free IDD & Autism Leadership Summit
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