EDSI staff aim to facilitate the individuals abilities and increase their independence. This supports them with achieving self-reliance to the best of their physical, emotional and cognitive abilities.  

Independent skills refer to a person’s ability to perform tasks, make choices, and manage their own life without constant assistance. These skills encompass various domains, including daily living, communication, social interactions, and decision-making.

Our Approach to Increasing Independent Skills:

Program Design:

• Our programs are intentionally designed to empower residents.
• We recognize that independence is a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling life.

Skill Areas:

• Daily Living Tasks: We focus on practical skills needed for daily routines—such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, and managing finances.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication enables individuals to express their needs/wants, preferences, desires and feelings.
• Social Skills: Building relationships, understanding social cues, and participating in community activities are essential.
• Decision-Making: We strive to have the individuals that we support learn to make informed choices, consider consequences, and advocate for themselves.

Examples of Increasing Independent Skills:

• Personal Hygiene: Staff aim to teach the individual(s)-supported to independently perform personal hygiene such as toileting, body washing and socially expected personal hygiene levels. 
• Cooking: Individual(s)-supported strive to learn to prepare simple meals independently.
• Using Public Transportation: Understanding bus routes and schedules empowers mobility.
• Self-Advocacy: The individual(s)-supported practice expressing their preferences during interactions with staff, meetings and/or appointments.
• Budgeting: Learning the different denominations of money or financial management skills that promote independence.

Our commitment is to guide individuals toward greater independence, fostering self-reliance and a sense of accomplishment.