What is a ‘Facility’?
The facilities featured on the Disability Facility Hub are places where youth and adults with disabilities live (either short or long-term) while being assisted with daily activities including therapy and other medical care. Although each facility is different, they all in some way restrict the personal freedom of those who live there.
Some common characteristics of facilities include:
- Limited Privacy: Shared common areas and shared bed rooms limit the availability of private space and alone time.
- Set Schedules: Meals, medications, and bathing usually happen at specific times. Residents often don’t get to choose their own daily routine.
- Rules: Facilities often have rules restricting things like smoking, drinking, dating, and group gatherings.
- Structured Recreation: Activities are often organized by staff rather than by individual residents.
- Limited Access to Technology: Some facilities set limits on technology including the internet and smart devices.
- Security and Surveillance: Locked entrance and exit doors, cameras, and check-in/check-out rules may restrict what residents would otherwise choose to do. Residents may not be allowed to leave without supervision or permission-even for short trips.
- Relationships and Visitors: Limitations on when and how often residents can have visitors are commonplace. There can also be restrictions on the kind of personal relationships (including romantic ones) that are allowed.
- Isolation: Residents may not have the opportunity to interact with anyone but staff or other residents.
