Working Hard for Independence
Project Independence - Enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities Working Hard for Independence
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Independent Living Supported Employment Day Programs
Access to Adventure
 Healthy Living Benefits Planning
Healthy Living
Healthy Living Program | Pilot Program | The Instant Chef | Program Sponsorship
Healthy Living Program
Closing the Gap: A National Blueprint to Improve the Health of Persons with Mental Retardation is a 2002 report from the Office of the Surgeon General. This landmark study reported that people with developmental disabilities had poorer health and far less access, even to basic screening and treatment, than others, and that diagnosis and treatment of serious disorders in this population were often delayed, inadequate, or not provided at all. The range of these health problems includes increased risk for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dental, hearing and vision problems and overall poor fitness. In response to this call to action, the board and staff at Project Independence plans to launch The Healthy Living Program. In working with our 600-member client base, this innovative program will provide education and prevention, resource development, monitoring and intervention services (including clinical access) to:
 
Target Groups
Diabetic Clients: (60 clients, including those on insulin / monitors)
Clients-at-risk for Adult Onset Diabetes (clinically assessed)
Morbidly Obese Clients (100+ pounds overweight) (36 to 40 clients)
Obese clients (BMI of 30 and above) (280+ unduplicated clients)
Check back for upcoming details about the launch of this program.
Link to Healthy Living survey for people with developmental disabilities
link to Healthy Living cookbooks for sale
Link to new Healthy Living Guide for developmentally disabled
Our New Healthy Living Guide will be available Spring 2011 -
check back again!!

Project Independence’s mission is to promote civil rights for people with developmental disabilities
through services which expand independence and choice. Project Independence provides supported employment
and independent living services for people with developmental disabilities in Orange County, California as well as
disability benefits planning, and an opportunity for disability travel and recreation through its Access to
Adventures Program. Project Independence also has services available to businesses interested in hiring employees with developmental disabilities and has a special program promoting healthy living with a disability.