The Role of Accessible Housing in Supporting Adults With Disabilities

By Randon Bittings, Chief Services Officer, Bello Machre

Accessible group homes in Maryland help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build independence and community connections.

Group home residents standing on front porch

Accessible housing in Maryland is essential for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live safely, independently, and as active members of their communities. Residential group homes provide the support, accessibility, and sense of belonging that help individuals build meaningful lives.

What Is Accessible Housing?

Accessible housing includes residential environments that are designed or modified to support individuals with mobility, cognitive, sensory, or developmental disabilities. In Maryland, this often includes group homes that combine physical accommodations with supportive services to promote safety, independence, and community integration.

How Accessible Group Homes Support Adults With Disabilities in Maryland

More than one million adults in Maryland are living with an intellectual or developmental disability. Many in this group struggle with mobility issues and cognitive disorders or need individualized assistance. They also face the challenge of finding supportive housing options that meet their wants and needs. Accessible residential group homes serve as a lifeline for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aiding overall health and well-being, building community, and facilitating the development of a rich and meaningful life.

Residential group homes offer a supportive environment in which adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive services and support tailored to their unique needs. They also foster a sense of belonging within the home and the surrounding community. Bello Machre’s 50 residential group homes aid nearly 180 residents in Anne Arundel and Carroll Counties, yet more work needs to be done to meet the housing needs of all adults in our community living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Accessible residential group homes benefit not only their residents but their surrounding communities. Here’s how:

1. Community Engagement

Adults with disabilities experience mental distress almost 5 times as often as adults without disabilities. Accessible residential group homes enable community engagement, a vital component in supporting physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being, which combat anxiety and depression.

In Bello Machre homes, a Family Living Director (FLD) lives on-site, ensuring each individual has personal support, medical assistance, and an opportunity to engage in community activities. Residents have access to a full range of life experiences, including meeting friends who have similar interests and hobbies; enjoying new and exciting activities; giving back to the community; participating in the workforce; and relaxing in the comfort of their home.

2. Ambulation

Accessible housing remains one of the most significant challenges for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some deal with ambulation challenges, necessitating a wheelchair or other mobility aid. Visual impairments could make steps challenging.

Bello Machre residential group homes are designed to accommodate the residents’ needs, including ramps, wider doorways, and other modifications to facilitate mobility and independence. One-on-one support ensures everyone can participate as fully as possible in the home and community. For example, if a resident is in a wheelchair and doesn’t have the upper body strength or dexterity to ambulate, then a direct support professional (DSP) will help.

3. Independent Living skills

Accessible residential group homes help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live more independently while maintaining access to necessary personal support services. This one-on-one support enables residents to develop independent living skills such as personal hygiene, meal planning, household chores, money and time management, and social skills.

4. Sense of Belonging

Residential group homes offer a sense of belonging and community. Every Bello Machre home has a unique personality. Some feel like college, with 30- and 40-somethings learning to cook, clean, budget, and socialize safely in the community. The FLD and DSPs support residents as they explore dating and socializing in the community safely and with dignity. In other homes, adults and seniors enjoy a slower pace of life.

Each home is accessible, so if someone who requires a wheelchair loves baking, the kitchen is designed to accommodate them. Residents choose their bedroom’s color and theme, and they celebrate holidays, host get-togethers, and invite family and friends to visit.

5. Educating the community

A common misconception about residential group homes is that they are halfway houses. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bello Machre homes blend into communities seamlessly, offering a warm, welcoming environment. By hosting community events such as Halloween celebrations, Bello Machre educates the surrounding communities about developmental and intellectual disabilities, fostering understanding, inclusion, and acceptance.

Despite significant benefits, increased investment and support are required to meet the demand for accessible group homes. The community can help close this gap by advocating for legislation to fund such initiatives and patronizing businesses that are accessible and employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By investing in these vital resources, we can create a more inclusive and supportive community where all individuals, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to thrive.

FAQs About Accessible Housing in Maryland

Accessible housing is residential housing designed to support individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities who have mobility, sensory, and other issues related to daily living within a home environment. In Maryland, this can include group homes that provide physical accommodations and daily living support.

At Bello Machre, each of our 50 group homes is handicap accessible, with accommodation for a variety of resident needs, including ramps, lifts, wider doorways, and other interior and exterior design modifications that facilitate mobility, safety, and independence. One-on-one, live-in caregiver support ensures everyone can participate as fully as possible in the home and community.

Group homes offer dedicated support while encouraging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build daily living skills.

At Bello Machre, our programs for group home residents provide targeted opportunities to build a variety of skills that help increase self-confidence, independence, and quality of life, including:

  • Work Skills: Interviewing and applying for a job, job expectations and workplace behavior, time management, following instructions, working with a team, and safely using public transportation.
  • Daily Living Skills: Personal hygiene, grooming, dressing correctly for work, weather and activities, cooking and meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, and establishing routines.
  • Financial Skills: Understanding how to budget, handle money, make purchases, plan for expenses, save and earn money.
  • Social Skills: Expressing needs, creating social boundaries, building friendships, and navigating community, social, and work settings.

Accessible homes include features such as adaptive kitchens and accessible bathrooms to accommodate daily living needs, as well as the presence of trained staff to support residents’ physical, medical, and social well-being.

At Bello Machre, each of our 50 group homes is handicap accessible, with accommodation for a variety of resident needs, including ramps, wider doorways, and other interior and exterior design modifications that facilitate mobility, safety, and independence. Every home is limited to three to four residents to ensure every person can enjoy a sense of community while receiving personalized, live-in caregiver support. In addition, our Residential Services include assistance with daily skills (cooking, hygiene, budgeting), healthcare and nursing, and access to community and employment support.

Residential group homes are designed to meet physical needs and foster meaningful connections within the broader community to promote socialization, a sense of belonging, and a feeling of pride in contributing to the community. 

At Bello Machre, every individual who is part of our Residential Services program has the option to participate in day programs outside in the community as part of our Community Development Services. Transportation is provided, and each day focuses on community integration, skill-building, and individualized support by offering social activities, volunteer work, recreational programs, and learning opportunities tailored to participants’ strengths and interests. Examples include:

  • Physical Fitness & Wellness: Bowling, movement classes, and recreational sports that promote health and well-being.
  • Food Industry Exploration: Cooking sessions, kitchen safety, and meal prep activities that teach practical skills and confidence.
  • Creative Hobbies & Arts: Painting, music, crafts, and other outlets for self-expression and creativity.
  • Entrepreneurship & Small Business Skills: Exploring how ideas turn into products and services, encouraging independence and innovation.
  • Nature & Animal Care: Outdoor adventures, park walks, and opportunities to care for animals and gardens.

Accessible group homes in Maryland support adults who need assistance with daily living skills, mobility, or medical coordination. Both the group home residents and the community at large benefit from these services. Residents get dedicated care and get to feel part of a close-knit community, while the community itself benefits from good neighbors who contribute in a rich and meaningful way to local culture and community growth. 

At Bello Machre, our 50 handicap-accessible residential group homes, located across Anne Arundel and Carroll County Maryland, provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, neurological disorders, traumatic brain injuries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Rett Syndrome, epilepsy and/or seizure disorder, Muscular Dystrophy, Fragile X Syndrome, and William’s Syndrome with a safe, comfortable, supervised, and supportive living environment that promotes dignity, inclusion, and engagement.

Learn More About ReSIDENTIAL SERVICES AT BELLO MACHRE

Group Homes For Loved Ones With Developmental Disabilities
Contact Us