Assessment of Skills Measuring Areas of Independent Living

Many programs differ in their concept and identification of skills that promote independent living for persons with disabilities (Iceman & Dunlap, 1984). Similarly, the United States and many other countries are facing problems in defining independent living (Tate, 1984). Giordano and D’Alonzo (1994) noted that a precise and universally agreed upon definition of independent living is elusive. Similarly, Barnes (2005) noted that there was no uniform definition for independent living. Independent living specialists are employees staffed at centers for independent living that have direct professional experience with identifying skills that promote independent living for persons with disabilities. The focal point was to examine the degree of agreement among independent living specialists in assessing an instrument measuring areas for independent living.